Highlands - How can I tell if a track is a legal right of way ?

Eastmidsbiker

Eastmidsbiker

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I understand BOAT’s aren’t a thing in Scotland, but any guidance on how I establish if I can use a track shown on OS maps ?

This is just south of Scourie on the west side of the A894 and goes around the Lock Creagan Daraitch and then rejoins the A894 further south ?



IMG_0791.jpg
 
The southern end says no unauthorised access. I suspect it's only legal to the end of the yellow road.
 
Snaf said:
The southern end says no unauthorised access. I suspect it's only legal to the end of the yellow road.
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That makes sense, was that on google maps/streetview ? (I don’t think to check that).

Thanks
 
Found it now, thanks @Snaf I may try from the North and see how far I can get without hitting a restriction.

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JohnnyBoxer said:
Phone the Landowner and ask him 🤩
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Exactly. All land is owned up here. English legal concepts re rights of way and vehicular rights of way don't exist. The right to roam rules don't apply to vehicles. That's not so say you can't chance your arm - especially where the "road" is clearly not owned by an individual e.g. a forestry commission access road, but be prepared for a burly gamie to greet you otherwise! :LOL:
 
Posh Pete said:
Exactly. All land is owned up here. English legal concepts re rights of way and vehicular rights of way don't exist. The right to roam rules don't apply to vehicles. That's not so say you can't chance your arm - especially where the "road" is clearly not owned by an individual e.g. a forestry commission access road, but be prepared for a burly gamie to greet you otherwise! :LOL:
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Mainly by English landlords in the Highlands too
 
Depending on why you wish to view this route, will result in whether authorisation will be or not given to yourself to go beyond that closed gate for your vehicle access.

No harm done in asking, if in doubt whom to ask, go to that large white house down that other open road and ask there. Good luck. :D I think you may find that this route is onto a nature reserve restricted area. :nono 🐾🦅🐦🦆
 
I did a (vehicular) route last year on my enduro bike last year in the Highlands

We got away with it, but it did feel a bit naughty and maybe not something I would do again, especially on that route - without express permission
 
Some additional information for you:

Calbha translates to "calf" in English, with "Beag" meaning "little" and "Mòr" meaning "large," referring to the size of the islands Calbha Beag and Calbha Mòr in Scotland.

Meaning of Calbha​

Calbha translates to "calf" in English.

Context of Usage​

The term is used in the names of two islands in Scotland:

  • Calbha Beag: "Beag" means "little," so Calbha Beag translates to "Little Calf Island."
  • Calbha Mòr: "Mòr" means "large," making Calbha Mòr translate to "Large Calf Island."
These names reflect the size differences between the two islands.

Easy way to remember, if your a large person normally over 6 feet and your name is Alexander then you would be called, Alasitair Mòr..........Beag for small stature. :green gri
 
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JohnnyBoxer said:
Mainly by English landlords in the Highlands too
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I think it's a Danish chap who's the biggest JB. Anders Holch Povlsen. He has re-wilding plans that've attracted a fair amount of attention.Mind, getting chased by a lynx or a bear might add to the excitement of off roading?
 
Ask in the right way and you might be surprised. I ran a few trips with big sections of off-road in Dumfries and Galloway forest (100miles+ off road) , Isle of Jura up to the top to view the Correyveckan, and a couple from near Ullapool which were about 25 miles of (2) estate tracks. Those cost me a couple of bottles of port, a few grovelling emails, and some commitment in terms of our attitude and behaviour (Specific times, not commercial, in a group, sedate pace, no damage to track, etc etc) . I had another in the bag out to the end of the Scoraig peninsula but bad weather put a stop to that one (hurricane force winds on exposed cliff side tracks).

I stopped doing them after a dickhead declared UDI and shot off along the tracks at speed, wheel spinning and wheelying. You just can’t trust people and I decided I did not need dickheads in my life. Said dickhead is or was a member here actually.

There’s a website somewhere that tells you who owns what in Scotland. Find out the estate, look the estate up - they’ve nearly all got websites as they are commercial outfits these days then either ring or email the land agent, or the ‘factor’, or the game keeper/head stalker/ghillie. The actual owner is very unlikely to be involved. At least try to sound like you know what you are talking about, eg stalking & shooting seasons will almost certainly be a no. Aim to make it a low impact event and if they get anywhere near to agreeing just agree with everything they want. First time do it exactly how you said you would, after that you can always ask if you can do a bit more. On the Ullapool one’s the second time the agent of the second estate basically said go where you like on the estate tracks. Finally make sure the local police know what you are doing. It’s just a phone call.
 
Ride down it,

If you get stopped, arrested or shot

Then it wasn't probably a legal right of way
Pretty simple really
 
Posh Pete said:
I think it's a Danish chap who's the biggest JB. Anders Holch Povlsen. He has re-wilding plans that've attracted a fair amount of attention.Mind, getting chased by a lynx or a bear might add to the excitement of off roading?
Click to expand...
Up until the Dane …..it’s been the English for the last few centuries
 
JohnnyBoxer said:
Up until the Dane …..it’s been the English for the last few centuries
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Gotta be careful about that Johnny. Next we’ll be saying it was England v Scotland at Culloden!
:eek
The big landowners such as the Duke of Buccleugh and HMK would all claim to be Scots too. They might be largely brought up and educated down south but they’re still Scots. With me and you I guess, it’s the other way round - we’re both mongrels! :LOL: Born one place but living and loving our birthplace and where we are now!

We can enjoy all those places on our bikes of course! Some on here can’t say that! 😁
 
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