I have received a few enquiries about how orienteering actually fits in to the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and the accompanying Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
In general terms the following apply –
If you as an individual want to go for a training run, you can do this as long as you act responsibly within the principles and guidance of the Code. There is no need to register this with BOF for insurance purposes. The definition of ‘responsible’ will depend on the location, time of year, etc. In some cases you might be required to consult your club access officer for advice. (Also be aware of embargoes on some areas for events!). See Section 3.57 of the Code.
If you and some club members want to go for an informal training run, and you do not put out any markers or other facilities, then again you can do so as long as you act responsibly within the principles and guidance of the Code. Again there is no need to register this with BOF. The definition of ‘responsible’ will depend on the location, time of year, etc. In some cases you might be required to consult your club access officer for advice. (Also be aware of embargoes on some areas for events!). See Section 3.60 of the Code.
If your club organises an event or activity of any kind which appears in any club or other fixture list, including evening training events, coaching sessions, Come and Try It’s, etc, which involve a certain amount of organisation, eg car parking, markers put out, timing, etc, then you must ensure that you have the land owner’s permission and that the activity is registered with BOF for insurance purposes. The participants will require to act responsibly in accordance with the principles and guidance of the Code and any other requirements requested by the event officials and land owner specific to the area being used. See Section 3.60 of the Code.
Any event which appears in the club, SOA and BOF Fixtures Lists will require to have the land owner’s permission and to be registered with BOF for insurance purposes. The participants will require to act responsibly in accordance with the principles and guidance of the Code and any other requirements requested by the event officials and land owner specific to the area being used. See Section 3.60 of the Code.
Details of the relevant sections of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act and the Scottish Outdoor Access code.
For details of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code see; http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com
Can event organisers who are organising events on Forestry Commission Scotland land please ensure they use the new forms and the procedures detailed in the BOF / Forestry Commission Agreement available on the SOA Access Pages on the web-site. Note that BOF have been sending out the wrong forms recently – please discard any you might have been sent.
The new Sample Access Agreement was formally adopted by the SOA and the SRPBA at the ESOC Event at Dalmeny Estate on the 30th April. The agreement is intended to be either used as it is shown, changed to suit an individual area or event, or it can be used as a guide to the issues which will require to be covered when speaking to land managers regarding access for orienteering.
Can all clubs ensure that the correct wording regarding access is placed on all maps printed by them. Some have not mention of access and some are still using the old version. The correct wording is -
Access to the land shown on this map is covered by the principles set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. For further information see:
http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com
Download a guide to the relevant clauses from the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 and Scottish Outdoor Access Code which refer to organising events.
Guide.doc
Guide.pdf
Posted by on 15th Aug 06 Filed under: Access