off roading in Scotland

I had a skive off work today, my wee boy was ill so I had to stay home but when the wife got home at 3pm I decided rather than go to work I would go check out the toll road at Kielder. The toll road starts at the visitors centre and costs £2, its 12miles long and is marked as being for 4x4 and light vehicles and is a loose surface forest road.

I also had a good look around while I was riding around the water. There are many roads heading off in every direction, most of which had no gates or signs prohibiting vehicles from using them. I would be tempted to just use them and argue the toss if I got caught. If there is nothing stopping you and no signs to say you are not aloud then how are you supposed to know you were not permitted to use the road.? ;-)

I did find a little bit on the way home that I know is used by the Scottish rally guys, it wasn’t very far but enough to put a grin on my face. Leaving the main road on a bend heading up through the forest before heading back down hill and rejoining the main road. good fun but a bit muddy for my Metzeler Tourance tyres.

Allan
 
I did the Kielder forest trail on my GS1150 on the day I picked it up from Southport Superbikes (I was Travelling up to Edinburgh). It's an easy track, just a few ruts and potholes here and there. I didn't pay though, I didn't see anyone collecting money etc; although it was November and raining.
 
allan said:
update from the police, he has just been posted to Edinburgh with the traffic cops so is going to ask what the law is tonight but he said there is a Trespass Scotland act which covers privet land, this I think would include forestry commission land.

regards
Allan
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The trespass laws in Scotland is thier isnt any. All land is free for you to roam over, camp on. Even applies to houses if you leave your house door open, thiers no law to stop anyone walking in. They cant open a door that would be breaking and entering. Doing it on a GS might be a wee bit different. :D

Oh and thiers no squatters rights, you can toss them straight out on the street, hence we never get squatters :thumb
 
Stef,

sorry dude but I have to disagree, check this link.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/bills/billsPassed/b44bs1.pdf

but if you dont want to read the whole thing here is the bit that count, you are correct in a way but only for some purposes. here are the exclusions, (d) is the one we are interested in.


9 Conduct excluded from access rights
The conduct which is within this section is—
(a)being on or crossing land in breach of an interdict or other order of a court; 30

(b) being on or crossing land for the purpose of doing anything which is an offence or a breach of an interdict or other order of a court;

(ba) hunting, shooting or fishing;

(bb) being on or crossing land while responsible for a dog or other animal which is not under proper control; 35

(bc) being on or crossing land for the purpose of taking away, for commercial purposes or for profit, anything in or on the land;

(d) being on or crossing land in or with a motorised vehicle or vessel (other than a vehicle or vessel which has been constructed or adapted for use by a person who has a disability and which is being used by such a person); 40
 
PS,

I just thought of a loophole, if you can prove you have a disability and that your bike has been modified for that disability you can go wherever you want.

Allan
 
~Stef~ said:
As I said, your free to roam anywhere (as long as your not being a nuisance, thats public disorder) and NOT on a hulking great big motorbike.
Click to expand...

My apologies Stef, I just re-read your post and you did say perhaps not on a hulking great motorcycle.

Im still trying to find out what the charge would be and any potential penalty if you were caught riding off road, say up a forestry commission road. do you fancy asking your mates dad. ?


allan
 
SpyInTheCamp said:
Blue / black 1200GS. I usually use it most weekdays. Not so much at the w/e. But can be tempted out a bit. :D

Kai
Click to expand...

So was that you I saw at Fountainhall this morning about 8:45ish? I was on the manderin 1150 overtaking and heading north
 
StooL said:
So was that you I saw at Fountainhall this morning about 8:45ish? I was on the manderin 1150 overtaking and heading north
Click to expand...
Nope, my usual route is up the A7 and then round the bypass :rolleyes: to Broxburn. Although I am generally in town one or two days a week.

Kai
 
Reply from my cop friend after talking to some of the traffic/bike cops.

He said they probably wouldn’t bother with you so long as you were riding on waist land or forest roads and were not causing problems/endangering other people or causing damage or excessive noise. However if the land owner complains they would have to act.

Not an official line just the opinion of the bike cops asked.

Allan
 
Been investigating this issue alot through work (I'm an access officer with the cooncil) If you drive a vehicle more than 15m of a public highway (or proven vehicle right of way) its illegal under the road traffic act. The penalty is a fine - not sure how much but not massive. However, the police will only respond if you are causing a nuisance and seriously threatening to damage property - ragging a 'crosser across a field of crops for example. The scary stuff is the anti social behaviour laws. If your trail riding is proven to be antisocial (riding through someones picnic, for example) you can be served with an ASBO. First stage is a warning, next stage is confiscation of the vehicle, requiring a £150 fee to recover. This is aimed at neds on 'crossers etc. causing chaos in country parks etc. but if you fall foul of an influential landowner you may find yourself in shtuck.

The new access legislation does not apply to motor vehicles other than to reaffirm the status of rights of way (which is to say its still incredibly vague regarding offroad vehicle rights of way) Disabled people can use a variety of powered vehicles to take responsible access but the key word is responsible - the suggestion that using a 4x4 or a motorbike is responsible disabled access would certainly be challenged.

Forestry have a huge problem with poachers, neds lighting fires and people ripping up there walking and cycling trails on 'crossers in there promoted forests. Someone ambling along a fire road on a GS is unlikely to raise there ire although they will certainly ask you to leave. Beware that Forest rangers are often large scary people!

Phil
 
trailing

as mentioned before the laws in england are totally different in scotland you are suppose to ask the landowners permission to cross their land,if you do ask the answer will 99%be no as they dont want everybody ruining their land,the southern uplands way is a no no,forestry roads if they are marked on a map as a road for all motor vehicles you r okay but it is very rare to find a long enough route on a forest road,there is old ancient rights of way in scotland but you have to do a bit homework to find them.i will be trailing at the end of september and will mark the routes on a map (legal ones) and possibly lead a trail out for whoevers interested i will let you know but beware even when the routes are 100% legal you will still get hassle of farmers,forest rangers,walkers etc ive beeen trailing for at least 8 years and know all the legal routes,yorkshire,hawes,alwington,slaley forest and we still get questioned hope this enlightens a few people
 
cutmorej said:
i will be trailing at the end of september and will mark the routes on a map (legal ones) and possibly lead a trail out for whoevers interested i will let you know but beware even when the routes are 100% legal you will still get hassle of farmers,forest rangers,walkers etc ive beeen trailing for at least 8 years and know all the legal routes,yorkshire,hawes,alwington,slaley forest and we still get questioned hope this enlightens a few people
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Keep us posted, I would be up for that. So long as its not to rough, Im a virgin.

The last time I did any off Road was 25 years ago when I used to take my Honda SS 50 up into the local woods.

Allan
 
I emailed the forestry commision heres the reply

Thank you for your enquiry. I am sorry for the delay in replying.

Forestry Commission roads are private ways constructed to manage the woodlands and are not public rights of way for vehicular use. Whilst the Land Reform Act gives a general right of way for quiet access on foot, cycle or horses, this does not extend to motorised vehicles. Further the Forestry Commission Byelaws specifically prohibit the use of vehicles (except electrically propelled wheelchairs).

Access to forest tracks by the public for vehicles is therefore permissive. This can be largely unrestricted in the case of routes leading to a forest car park for example, subject to various conditions in relation to forest drives (which are usually open for certain times only and often subject to a charge), or granted only by means of a written permission, for example in relation to a specific event.

Our local Forest District offices will be able to help with regard to any specific routes that you have in mind. The addresses are available on our website at - http://www.forestry.gov.uk/forestry/hcou-4u4hzv.

I hope this helps.

Best regards

Theresa Andrew
Forestry Commission Public Enquiry Service
0131 314 6370
 
Ahh the joys of being a Fife Cooncil employee..... Have you come across Fife Community Off Road Motorcycle Club & http://www.fcomc.com/
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Yeah seen that - we are trying to think of ways they can be supported as has been done in North Lanarkshire. It would be nice to offer the neds a legal alternative rather than just shouting at them. Time and money are the limiting factors alas

Phil
 
North Lanarkshire council and the Scottish A.C.U. are apparently looking at opening up a new site at the old hillclimb circuit between Salsburgh and Forestfield.

There will be indoor and outdoor tracks built to international competiton tandard with a view both racing and to attracting professional racers to use it for training in order to attract others to pay to use it. The investment is around the £2 million mark and the old plans for a formula 1 circuit have been dusted down to see the viability of adapting it for MOTO-GP use.
 
Phil Clarke said:
It would be nice to offer the neds a legal alternative rather than just shouting at them.
Click to expand...
Absolutely. The guys at the track told me recently that they have plans to build a tarmac minimoto track adjacent to the Moto X track. That might encourage some of the clowns not to ride the things around the urban bits of Fife.

Didn't both Fife Police and Community Education have an involvement in the indoor circuit in Methil....? Which service are you with Phil? I'll drop you a line on Groupwise.
 
I personally think there is just so much land out there doing nothing that a more open approach would have little or no impact on the environment. I'm sure if this was to happen themn some group of tree huggers would be up in arms...I didn't say Ramblers Club did I ;)

AndyT
 
Nippy Normans supply Touratech, Wunderlich, Desert Fox and many other makes of accessories.
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