Across Scotland every local council access department, as well as the national parks are planning core paths for all non-motorised users including horse riders and carriage drivers.

They are at an advanced stage in these plans, and have been holding consultations over the last two years on the proposals, but there is still plenty of time to get involved and lobby the council for the routes that you want to ride on a regular basis.

Everyone is involved, all recreational users and most importantly the land managers, both private and public throughout Scotland.  But be aware, if riders do not ask for routes, they will, in many places not get access. There are many land managers who as we all know are perhaps not anti-horse but are definitely not pro-horse, and if a core path goes through their land, it may be with kissing gates or cattle grids, fine for walkers and cyclists but precludes riders, especially if there is seen to be an “acceptable alternative”.  The British Horse Society Scotland will do all it can to help you make sure that routes are available, but with over 100,000 horses in Scotland, many in their own little pockets and areas, its is difficult to cover all the eventualities.  This is the perfect opportunity for us all to get out there and help create riding routes for the future.

Don’t delay, as every council (or access authority) in the country expects to start their formal consultation this year, some have already started and one or two have already finished, but most are soon to proceed.  Check your council website below, or call your local BHS access representative, or me on 01294 270891P.Somerville@bhs.org.uk and I can point in you in the right direction.