RESPONSIBLE COMMERCIAL EQUESTRIAN ACCESS Basic principles Section 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 establishes rights of access over most land and inland water for non-motorised users including horse-riders, walkers and cyclists, provided they exercise their rights responsibly. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) provides detailed guidance on rights and responsibilities of access users and land managers. Commercial operators enjoy the same access rights as individuals, provided they exercise these rights responsibly. Key Principle As an access user As a land manager Take responsibility for your Take account of natural Act reasonably, lawfully and own actions hazards. Remember that the with care at all times for outdoors cannot be made people’s safety. risk-free and act with care at all for your own safety and that of others. Respect the interests and Respect the privacy, safety Do not cause unreasonable safety of other people act and livelihoods of those living interference with rights of – with courtesy, consideration or working in the area where anyone exercising or seeking and awareness you walk/cycle/ride. to exercise their access rights. Respect the needs of other people enjoying the outdoors. Care for the environment Look after the places you Help maintain natural and visit and enjoy, leave the cultural features which make land as you find it. the outdoors attractive. Paragraph 3.62 of the SOAC provides specific advice to those running a business, which includes riding schools, trekking and trail riding centres, livery yards, trainers and proprietors of other equestrian businesses.
RESPONSIBLE COMMERCIAL EQUESTRIAN ACCESS Basic principles Section 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 establishes rights of access over most land and inland water for non-motorised users including horse-riders, walkers and cyclists, provided they exercise their rights responsibly. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) provides detailed guidance on rights and responsibilities of access users and land managers. Commercial operators enjoy the same access rights as individuals, provided they exercise these rights responsibly. Key Principle As an access user As a land manager Take responsibility for your own actions Take account of natural hazards. Remember that the outdoors cannot be made risk-free and act with care at all for your own safety and that of others. Act reasonably, lawfully and with care at all times for people’s safety. Respect the interests and safety of other people – act with courtesy, consideration and awareness Respect the privacy, safety and livelihoods of those living or working in the area where you walk/cycle/ride. Respect the needs of other people enjoying the outdoors. Do not cause unreasonable interference with rights of anyone exercising or seeking to exercise their access rights. Care for the environment Look after the places you visit and enjoy, leave the land as you find it. Help maintain natural and cultural features which make the outdoors attractive. Paragraph 3.62 of the SOAC provides specific advice to those running a business, which includes riding schools, trekking and trail riding centres, livery yards, trainers and proprietors of other equestrian businesses.