Where in Scotland can I cycle off road?

Of all four UK nations, Scotland has by far the best access rights. In fact, Scotland has some of the best access rights in the world. This is down to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, which codified into law the country’s ancient tradition of universal access to land.

Unlike England and Wales, which have a complicated system based on how paths and trails are legally classified, most of Scotland’s land is open to all. However, this doesn’t mean you can just go anywhere or do anything. Here, we take a deep dive into how access rights in Scotland pertain to cycling.

Follow the code

The laws are explained in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which states that everyone can access most land and inland water in Scotland for recreation, education or going from place to place – provided they act responsibly.

This includes such areas as mountains, moorland, woods and forests, grassland, margins of fields in which crops are growing, paths and tracks, rivers and lochs, the coast and most parks and open spaces. These access rights can be exercised at any time of the day or night.

The code also establishes that landowners have a responsibility to respect the interests of people exercising these access rights and to manage their land according to the law, ensuring that people can enjoy the outdoors safely.

Responsibility is the watchword here, and the code is based on three main principles which apply to land users and landowners:

• Respect the interests of other people
• Care for the environment
• Take responsibility for your own actions

Access all areas?

It doesn’t mean you can go anywhere and everywhere. When the law was first introduced, critics were telling horror stories of how hordes of people would be tramping across back gardens. This simply isn’t the case and there are some prohibited areas – which unsurprisingly includes people’s private gardens.

As well as houses – including dwellings such as static caravans – and gardens, non-residential buildings and associated land are also off limits, as is land used for growing crops. Access rights don’t extend to farmyards, but you can cross these where there are public rights of way.

The other main prohibited areas are:

• Land next to a school and used by the school
• Sports or playing fields when these are in use and where the exercise of access rights would interfere with such use
• Land developed and in use for recreation and where the exercise of access rights would interfere with such use
• Golf courses, but you can cross a golf course provided you don’t interfere with any games of golf
• Places such as airfields, railways, telecommunication sites, military bases and installations, working quarries and construction sites
• Visitor attractions or other places which charge for entry

What this means for cyclists

The code states that you can exercise your access rights for recreational, educational and some commercial purposes as well as to cross over land or water. Cycling is specifically mentioned as a recreational purpose – as a “more active pursuit”.

This means that, apart from the exemptions given above, you can ride your bike anywhere off road in Scotland – so long as you do so responsibly. You must be aware that you will be sharing that land with other people partaking in other activities. This could include families out picnicking, walkers, horse riders, people watching wildlife and more.

It is your responsibility to treat all other land users with respect and not do anything that interferes with them exercising their own rights. You must also treat the environment with care.

Access rights aren’t extended to motor vehicles. However, electric assist pedal cycles – or EAPCs, more commonly known as e-bikes –  are classed the same as regular non-assisted cycles in the UK so you can use an e-cycle. Cycles adapted for disabled cycling can also be used.

There are some basic rules you should follow:

• Don’t ride across crop fields – use field margins and go in single file
• Be in control and always ride within your own ability
• Make others aware of your presence – this is especially important with horses which can get spooked (remember Be Nice, Say Hi)
• Give way and dismount if necessary
• Only overtake when it’s safe to do so
• Be aware of your speed – especially around children or dogs which can be unpredictable
• Always be aware of your own surroundings – this is as much for your own safety as for that of others
• Take notice of any signs or advice and be prepared to alter your route accordingly
• Be polite – a smile, nod and friendly hello and thank you go a long way!

There are some simple rules when it comes to taking care of the environment too:

• Always take your litter away with you
• Be aware of sensitive areas which might be home to rare animals or plants – always stick to the trails
• Don’t disturb wildlife and be particularly vigilant during breeding seasons
• Keep a sensible distance from any livestock, especially calves and lambs, and don’t feed farm animals
• Leave gates as you find them
• Skidding can damage trails, so don’t do it

Repeated riding over very wet and muddy terrain can also damage it. While it’s impossible to totally avoid this in a country like Scotland, please do keep it to a minimum by varying your routes.

Wild camping

Good news for bikepackers is that, unlike in England and Wales, camping is allowed on most land in Scotland, and again is specifically mentioned in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. However, you must follow the code’s ‘leave no trace’ principle.

You should only camp in small groups and for a maximum of two or three nights. Take all your rubbish with you and bury any (ahem) human waste. Use a stove rather than open fire and don’t camp in enclosed fields, buildings or historical structures like castles.

You should also check local by-laws before setting out as wild camping may be prohibited in some areas at certain times. This might include during breeding seasons for rare animals or when essential works are being carried out.

Scotland’s access rights are eminently sensible – act responsibly and with respect to others and the environment and you can enjoy off-road riding almost anywhere.