Green Lanes - driving on rough tracks in Scotland

[jollygreen]

OK, I put this in the offroad section too but it's a very quiet forum so thought I'd be more likely to get a response here!


Looking at my local OS maps I see loads of tracks around.

I know that there aren't many green lanes in Scotland but does anybody know the legality of driving tracks in a 4x4?

I thought that the Trespass law didn't exist (or apply?) in Scotland but I may well be wrong - I don't know where I heard it and it could be either a public-myth or a made-up-ism in my head.

Edited by jollygreen on Tuesday 30th September 13:58

[Nic Jones]

If on the OS map it is a white track with round red dots on it then it is a public right of way. Otherwise if the map just shows red diamonds linked then that also is a right of way and you can drive anything you like up them. Otherwise iirc they are probably private tracks.

[jollygreen]

Yeah but I believe there is no law to stop people walking along a private track - is there one to stop you driving it?

[rhinochopig]

Can't help with Scottish access, but just be careful with irate land owners. We were crawling along a muddy track in N Yorkshire when the farmer came storming over and started shouting abuse "because these bloody 4x4s are destroying the tracks around here". Now we were in a Mountain Rescue Landy (which is a registered ambulance), we were all wearing MR tabards, and we were on a call out. I'd hate to think what he would have said to somebody green laning.

My tip would be join your local off-road group as at least they'll be hot on access issues in your area.

Edited by rhinochopig on Tuesday 30th September 13:58

[Crusoe]

No rules to say you can't drive anywhere as long as you don't cause a nuisance or any damage. Technically you could race up anyone's castle driveway but it's a bit rude.

[thinfourth2]

Basically there is nothing in scotland that can be legally driven that is offroad

So unless you join one of the local offroad clubs BORDC for aberdeen area then not much you can do legally

[jollygreen]

thinfourth2 said:

Basically there is nothing in scotland that can be legally driven that is offroad

So unless you join one of the local offroad clubs BORDC for aberdeen area then not much you can do legally

Wades road from Fort Augustus to Laggan being one exception. Good fun it is too...

I was a member of BORDC but didn't reknew after a year - not interested in trials and that's about all they do...

Why do you think that tracks can't be driven on legally (as long as you don't do any damage)?