Scottish hertiage path access.

[Justchris]

I was our riding in the pentlands today. I decided to do a rarely used heritage path. In fact the path recently was used by alasdair mc, and he put it in my head to give it another go, as I have in my head it's not much fun. I got a few kms in and had to cross some grazing land. Came across some cows. Then sitting in front of a gate marked with a trail sign that I needed to go through, was a huge friggin bull. Turned around after assessing that I could not go around.

Surely the land owner has some sort of responsibility not to do this. Extremely dangerous.

On the way back I warned two sets of walkers about the bull.

Does anyone know the law on this. The farmer hasn't blocked access. But potentially could be putting people in an extremely dangerous situation.

[fatbikephil]

Technically as long as the bull is 'safe' he can keep it in a field with an ROW / Core path or other established route through it so you may have been fine.... or not as some farmers don't care and as long as they have put signs up they are covered under Health and Safety law. Worth reporting it to the Council access officer or the Pentlands ranger service

[whitestone]

Certain breeds cannot be left to roam in fields, these are mostly dairy breeds such as Friesian. Beef breeds, Hereford, etc. May be left to graze in fields however they should be accompanied by a number of cows. The advice, not sure if it's law, is not to put a bull, accompanied or otherwise, in to a field that has a public right of way through it.

In my experience the most dangerous bovines are cows with calves. (I grew up on a mixed beef and sheep farm)

[ScotRoutes]

Given that this was in Scotland and a walker/cyclist has the right to go "anywhere", where exactly do you think would be the best place for this bull?
The "Heritage Paths" (assuming you are referring to these http://www.heritagepaths.co.uk/ ) have no particular legal standing. Most of them are not RoWs.

[AlasdairMc]

Slap?

I've noticed a few more farmers are running cattle in fields where sheep used to roam. Never had bull trouble in there, normally the cattle just scarper if you're around.

[Justchris]

Slap?

I've noticed a few more farmers are running cattle in fields where sheep used to roam. Never had bull trouble in there, normally the cattle just scarper if you're around.

Yeah from the a70 up to the slap. 1.8km in after the fifth or sixth gate. I spotted the bull early. But if Kellie was up with one of her friends walking and 'chatting' they wouldn't notice it until it was too late. Going to email the rangers.

Cheers

[ScotRoutes]

Covered in section 3.3 of the SOAC

if there is a bull or pigs in the field, go into a neighbouring
field or onto adjacent land;