The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Community => Coffee Lounge => Topic started by: Mays on May 16, 2013, 06:51:22 pm

Title: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Mays on May 16, 2013, 06:51:22 pm
well, thats what I feel like yelling, but of course I wouldnt dream of it!
Someone has taken to striding across (a significant) part of our land in a short cut home. He is stridinghappily over my hayfield and a neighbours Barley crop. And he is climbing over all the fences (my personal pet hate of mine, loosening the wire),
Where do I stand at preventing him from trampling my hay & ruining my fences! if anywhere? Scotland right to roam and all that  :-\
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: happygolucky on May 16, 2013, 07:24:57 pm
 :-\ , right to roam but with some respect, I notice a field near where I walk, people tred down a pathway through the crops, then I suppose that is not too bad if they all keep to the same path, not so sure about the fence bit, maybe if you see him, have a word and tell him how you feel, he may well be totally unaware...........then again he may be just arrogant!!  :innocent:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Backinwellies on May 16, 2013, 07:47:31 pm
i'm sure your stock suddenly need mains electic wire to keep them in :innocent:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on May 16, 2013, 07:56:55 pm
The right of responsible access in Scotland specifically excludes walking through the middle of crops and also walking through grass grown as a hay crop when it will be damaged (normally defined as when the grass is above ankle height). Headlands on crop fields are allowed but not through the crop. So you are well within your rights to ask them to stop, and if they refuse, ask them to leave. The access rights are so generous in Scotland that there is no excuse at all for exceeding them or breaching them.

http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/your-access-rights/ (http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/your-access-rights/)
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: john and helen on May 16, 2013, 07:59:35 pm
when your hay field is cut... do you not need to put a bull in for a few days..... ? that is what a friend did when some traveller's looked the like of his field..electric wire and bull..he did give then 15 minutes warning before off loading the fella..they were out in 10..and cleaned up  ;D

i don't agree with this total right to roam.... it would work if people had common sense..but many havn't
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: doganjo on May 16, 2013, 08:53:43 pm
There is no trespass law in Scotland - unless damage is done.  This appears to be damage to me so he is effectively trespassing, regardless of the right to roam laws.
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 16, 2013, 09:46:59 pm
As he is causing damage and therefore tressassing, can you not threaten him with being sued?
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Mays on May 16, 2013, 09:53:23 pm
thank you for the support guys, much appreciated  :thumbsup:
I spoke to him again, and very arrogant, and ingnorant to the fact it was crops he was walking over, I'll monitor the situation, and yes defiently going to plug in the mains, & good idea about the bull! :thinking: :cow:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Old Shep on May 16, 2013, 09:55:17 pm
I would simply ask him not to do it.  Generally people are ok when you talk to them.  Jut ask him to go another route and explain why.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Beewyched on May 16, 2013, 09:57:54 pm
i'm sure your stock suddenly need mains electic wire to keep them in :innocent:

No doubts about it - mind you, my battery powered tape gives me enough of a kick  :o

 If he doesn't stop, sit in wait for him with a camera & take pictures (only when he's on your land/fence) & tell him you're gathering evidence for your small claims!  Arrogant git!!!
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 16, 2013, 10:00:46 pm
Good idea. Make sure he sees youi doing it.
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: john and helen on May 16, 2013, 10:03:38 pm
make sure you cover yourself...do everything legal... signs saying electric fence...

people like him don't deserve to see the beauty of the land.... there are some prats on this planet
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Anke on May 16, 2013, 10:29:01 pm
Barbed wire as a temporary and cheap addition to the fence works too.
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: tizaala on May 17, 2013, 06:33:33 am
Land mine ?  :innocent:

Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Ina on May 17, 2013, 06:59:21 am
I think it always helps if you get the slurry spreader out... It's your land, and your crop - you must have the right to spread fertiliser, surely?! ;D

It's amazing, btw, how many people don't recognise that grass is a crop.
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Fowgill Farm on May 17, 2013, 09:34:20 am
We've just got our summer cows :excited: , 14 daft young heifers cavorting about, soft as butter and curious as can be, funny how the number of walkers across our right of way has dropped right off though  :innocent:  can't think why....................
Mandy :pig:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: happygolucky on May 17, 2013, 11:06:45 am
A lot of people have no idea of the country code or crops......I only know as I married a farmers son and used to hear father in law moan, I doubt my husband would consider it as being anything wrong walking across a grassed field........he never does as far as I know. 
Sound like this chap does have some knowledge so get the camera ready and the signs up.......and maybe electric fence, a Bull and some land mines :innocent:   (maybe not the land mines)
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Backinwellies on May 17, 2013, 11:35:04 am
substitute  spring grass cow pats for land mines!
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: colliewobbles on May 17, 2013, 11:43:50 am
I think this man is being exceptionally rude and taking the proverbial to be honest.

The local estate around where I live has opened up some permissive paths so that people can walk along the river - they did this to mark the millenium.  It is a lovely facility but still people take the mick and walk right up their driveway to the big house  :(   They also let their dogs run amok at times - there are lots of pheasants and partridges as they run shooting days.

It only takes some polite manners to build a decent relationship with people.   We always walk our dogs around the paths they have opened and sometimes we use the boundaries inbetween the fields, which aren't strictly the paths, to vary the walk.  Once my son did the same without me there and he was challenged - when he said who he was they apologised to himand said of course we know your Mum and your dogs are always well behaved - carry on.

Donna
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: sabrina on May 17, 2013, 12:32:11 pm
Sounds a right prat , like others have said take photo's and tell him you are gathering prof of damage. electric fencing does help keep some people out.
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Mays on May 17, 2013, 02:42:15 pm
thank you everyone for the advice. It is very much appreciated.
I am going to photograph him today, and I will monitor the situation next week. I think it woudl be easy to trace where he lives, I considered maybe I should go and tramp thru his garden LOL! Anyway,  if he keeps it up I will "borrow" a couple of bullocks, my neighbour has a huge herd (this joker  is avoiding those fields!)
 
cheers  :thumbsup:
 
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: happygolucky on May 17, 2013, 02:51:55 pm
Mays....when you have a photo can you pin it to the gate!!  :innocent:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: OhLaLa on May 17, 2013, 03:04:58 pm
Love the bull post.  :roflanim:
 
You can borrow a couple? SOOOOOO DO that! Might need a Beware of Bull sign?
Or
You need to fertilise your field (yeah, you do) so lay out some nice wet fresh stuff and thick and deep around where he crosses or might choose to cross, and make it too wide to jump over. If you are feeling really mean cover it in chopped grass so it can't be easily seen and he ends up in it anyway (seen it done, keeps the smell down apparently  :thinking:  ).
 
Or electric fence.
 
And as much as I'm against it where animals have use of the field, some tightly stretched barbed wire. But please ONLY if no animals ever in there. Nasty stuff.
 
Let us know what happens!
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: tizaala on May 17, 2013, 03:28:15 pm
Dig a new drainage ditch where he comes through, nice and wide & deep and filled up to the top . or you could get nasty and dig a hole 1 foot deep 1 foot round  with a barbed metal spike in the center , he won't want a second dose of that, the Vietcong used sharpened bamboo barbs dipped in sewage to ensure infection, there is also the ankle breaker , instead of spike use a foot of broom handle buried for 6 inches in the hole , the victim drops in the hole and his foot rocks on the broomstick snapping the ankle . But then I'm just a vindictive old sod, nail boards are very effective at deterring unwelcome visitors.
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 17, 2013, 06:10:14 pm
Tiz, I'm not so sure I want to visit you any more. Not without my safety helmet, bullet proof vest and water wings anyway.  ;D
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Garvie on May 21, 2013, 01:53:22 pm
acording to the Scottish government's access code they do not have the right to "Land in which crops have been sown or are growing (although please note that the headrigs, endrigs and other margins of fields where crops are growing are not defined as crops, whether sown or unsown, and are therefore within access rights)." so if  its through the  middle too can tell him where to go.
http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/your-access-rights/ (http://www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/outdoors-responsibly/your-access-rights/)
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: MAK on May 21, 2013, 02:47:18 pm
I would turn the electric fence on if he is wearing a kilt !! Imagine that  :excited:

I did not know about the right to roam law in Scotland - sounds good but only if those who enjoy the law show some respect for the land, crops and animals they pass thru.   
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Nell on May 21, 2013, 03:19:08 pm
It's one of the few things that narks me about Scottish law. That bloke wouldn't want you walking across his garden, sitting on his patio with a picnic, or letting your dog mess, so why is it alright for him to go wandering across your fields?  :rant: I wouldn't dream of walking across people's land without permission or necessity. Even then, I'd try to keep to the edge, or along the tramlines.


Yep, electric fence sounds the way to go.
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: lachlanandmarcus on May 21, 2013, 03:21:39 pm
I think it would have been useful if the access right had been restricted to tracks and paths, plus open unfenced land, since there aren't that many fields that aren't being used for some kind of crop even if its just silage or hay or which don't have animals in them which walkers dogs are likely to cause issues with. That would have been more balanced.
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: CameronS on May 21, 2013, 03:32:09 pm
By law you are not allowed to trampel any crops - grass if it is 6inches or higher is glassed as a crop and barley at any stage is a crop - therefore law dictates he should use the edges.

As for the fences - i'm sure there is stipulatios dictating that they are required to find a gate or suitable area to cross that will cause no damage.

Check with your local SNH office, they can give you all the upto date info

Or check out the SOAC book (scottish outdoor access code)
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Womble on May 21, 2013, 03:50:50 pm
Have you thought about getting one of these made up to go with the bullocks?
 
(http://www.redhotinsider.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/FunnySign-AnimalsMayEatYou.jpg)
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: happygolucky on May 21, 2013, 05:57:37 pm
 :roflanim:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: sabrina on May 21, 2013, 07:07:58 pm
 :roflanim: :roflanim: :roflanim:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Sudanpan on May 21, 2013, 07:26:05 pm
 :roflanim: :roflanim: :thumbsup: :thumbsup: :roflanim: :roflanim:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: shygirl on May 21, 2013, 08:09:56 pm
can u not put some hungry boisterous boar stores near the entrance where he comes in? a thin strip behind electric fencing?
 :roflanim:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: happygolucky on May 21, 2013, 08:56:01 pm
Or you could get a sign that says Warning Unexploded land mines!!
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Plantoid on May 21, 2013, 11:35:13 pm
You have to be careful that you do not do anything intended to cause harm to some one despite the greatest of urges to do so .
 
" Caution standing hay crop
Please keep off "  can be used for a sign .
  :idea:  Other signage like " Keep to the country code " Or similar " Use gates keep off our fences "  all with a picture of a big red angry bulls head  sometimes helps  but if all else fails the numpty will just do it for malicious intent so a bit of 2x 2 or a deceent base ball bat works wonders either as a lollipop stick you know where or as a bludgeon .
If the latter make sure the pigs are well  hungry   :innocent: :roflanim: :roflanim:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: john and helen on May 22, 2013, 06:39:34 am
you could simply start with a few  of these on the fence.....i just made them up..so no copyrite issues

(http://i228.photobucket.com/albums/ee62/johningham/tic2_zpsa0d7cd9b.jpg) (http://s228.photobucket.com/user/johningham/media/tic2_zpsa0d7cd9b.jpg.html)
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: tizaala on May 22, 2013, 08:16:58 am
ANTHRAX RISK DO NOT ENTER.  :innocent:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Fowgill Farm on May 22, 2013, 09:12:53 am
We had 'visitors' last night about midnight and they got the shock of their lives as they tried to come across our front field with their dogs.........only to be greeted by 14 galloping, bouncing, kicking heifers who promptly chased them back from where they came up the lane :roflanim: :roflanim:  obviously hadn't done a recky and not realised we now got cows, ha ha serves them right.
it was soooooooooo funny. :roflanim:
Mandy :pig:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: happygolucky on May 22, 2013, 09:30:01 am
And dangerouse too........I think cattle are more dangerouse than dogs
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Bionic on May 22, 2013, 09:43:14 am
We had 'visitors' last night about midnight and they got the shock of their lives as they tried to come across our front field with their dogs.........only to be greeted by 14 galloping, bouncing, kicking heifers who promptly chased them back from where they came up the lane :roflanim: :roflanim:  obviously hadn't done a recky and not realised we now got cows, ha ha serves them right.
it was soooooooooo funny. :roflanim:
Mandy :pig:
I don't think they will try that one again  :roflanim:
 
I like the tick infested sign too
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Ina on May 22, 2013, 09:59:50 am
Stealing cherries and strawberries was a favourite pastime for lots of folk back when I lived in a cherry-growing area... Farmers had to resort to putting up signs like "Danger - freshly sprayed".  ::)
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: tizaala on May 22, 2013, 04:51:29 pm
Tell him to move to Woolwich.

 ( and before anyone complains the decapitation and shootings are nothing to do with me.) :innocent:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 22, 2013, 09:16:17 pm
We had 'visitors' last night about midnight and they got the shock of their lives as they tried to come across our front field with their dogs.........only to be greeted by 14 galloping, bouncing, kicking heifers who promptly chased them back from where they came up the lane :roflanim: :roflanim:  obviously hadn't done a recky and not realised we now got cows, ha ha serves them right.
it was soooooooooo funny. :roflanim:
Mandy :pig:

 :roflanim: :roflanim: :roflanim: Wish you'd videoed it.
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: spandit on May 22, 2013, 10:36:24 pm
Tell him to move to Woolwich.

 ( and before anyone complains the decapitation and shootings are nothing to do with me.) :innocent:

What an unpleasant thing to say
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: The Woodsiders on May 23, 2013, 07:17:51 am
Have to agree, not at all funny in the circumstances
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Dan on May 23, 2013, 07:23:22 am
Have to agree, not at all funny in the circumstances

We agree, and have acted.

If we can get back on topic now please that would be great.  :)
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: crazy_bull on May 31, 2013, 11:11:45 am
A good smear of old grease and oil on railings will make him think twice and is fairly weather proof, and not overly visible if done right........
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: Lesley Silvester on May 31, 2013, 08:43:12 pm
I like that one.  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: *sigh* Get orrff my land!!
Post by: YoungRasher on June 03, 2013, 10:54:11 am
Is he still being a problem. Have you spoken to him?