http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Topic: Cycling on grass in Holyrood Park? en Fri, 22 May 2026 09:50:17 +0000 http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164462 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 10:19:53 +0000 ARobComp 164462@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I am clearly a criminal then as I train for CX on holyrood park grass when it's dry... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164453 Mon, 08 Sep 2014 08:25:58 +0000 Darkerside 164453@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Can I tempt anyone to the "Land over which access rights not exercisable" section?</p> <p><a href="http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/2/section/6" rel="nofollow">http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2003/2/section/6</a></p> <p>Features a pleasing use of the word "contiguous". </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164387 Sat, 06 Sep 2014 08:26:05 +0000 Dave 164387@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>I've only ever run in the park, as it would be more inconvenient to get there on a MTB than to go to real MTB routes, but I recall no shortage of massively eroded trails. I wonder why running isn't restricted? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164382 Fri, 05 Sep 2014 21:46:43 +0000 KeepPedalling 164382@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Thanks for your responses. Especially Morningsider for the very thorough response (even though it's what I feared!)</p> <p>I phoned the Rangers this morning to see if they weren't too bothered about that grass slope where you see groups of footballers etc running up. The chap I spoke to stuck to the party line, but said he would discuss with others and get back to me. (Heard nothing yet)</p> <p>Anyway, going by the strength of enforcement on other issues, I doubt the kids will get busted for cycling on the grass. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164181 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:34:42 +0000 kaputnik 164181@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p><em>None of which seems to stop cars from travelling through it in droves</em></p> <p>The bit I refer to above (the flat grassy area to the east of the palace, which used to be the site of ornamental "physic" gardens, hence the earthwork terraces) is also used as a car park for Brenda's annual beer and sandwiches in the palace gardens. I'd wager the car traffic does far more damage to the grass that foot/light cycle use. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164177 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:23:54 +0000 cc 164177@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>None of which seems to stop cars from travelling through it in droves... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164172 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:12:30 +0000 Morningsider 164172@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Mandopicker1 - yes, Holyrood Park is a Scheduled Monument, as well as being an Area of Great Landscape Value, Green Belt and a designated landscape. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164171 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 14:02:24 +0000 Mandopicker101 164171@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Just to layer on more legislation, Holyrood Park is (I believe) a Scheduled Monument. Historic Scotland or the RCAHMS will have the info. Archaeological deposits can (and do!) survive literally below the turf. </p> <p>I speak as an ex-archaeologist... </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164168 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:49:11 +0000 I were right about that saddle 164168@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>@morningsider</p> <p>Does that mean that I can't just cycle up to the bomb store at RN Armaments Depot Coulport even if I do it reasonably? Harumph and harumph again. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164167 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:40:41 +0000 Morningsider 164167@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Section 6(1)(d) of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 specifically states that access rights granted by that Act are not exercisable on land "which public access is, by or under any enactment other than this Act, prohibited, excluded or restricted;".</p> <p>Access rights in Holyrood Park are restricted by The Parks Regulation Acts and the Holyrood Parks Regulations 1971. This means that land reform access rights do not apply in Holyrood Park. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164164 Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:14:33 +0000 KeepPedalling 164164@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Anyone kind enough to link to a definitive written decision on the battle between the might of the Land Reform act, and the Royal Parks?</p> <p>On two occasions dog walkers have said we shouldn't be there. I would like to think that kids could cycle on the grass or pavement as well as the green path. I do not consider the road through the park to be safe for kids.</p> <p>Of course kids are likely young enough for rules not to apply to them? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-164017 Tue, 02 Sep 2014 11:19:51 +0000 kaputnik 164017@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>There's a well-word desire line in the grass (Well, the dirt) between the Holyroodhouse car park booth and the park exit by the old Elsie Inglis. I've been known to take that as a shortcut on the bike, but never been sure what the legal status is. Given I go past the front of the ranger station and nobody ever yelled at me yet, it can't be that serious an infraction. Also, it's either dirt or your basic park grass that I'm riding on, I wouldn't dream of taking a bike up onto the hill proper.</p> <p>If I was stopped and challenged and was told "your'e ruining the grass" I was going to point out that it's the 1,000s of people who walk that way as that's the way they want to go and they don't want an 800m detour that are "runing the grass" and I'm just following slowly in their footsteps. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-163992 Tue, 02 Sep 2014 07:53:00 +0000 I were right about that saddle 163992@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Galloping Glen appears to be the grassy expanse at Powderhouse Corner;</p> <p><a href="http://canmoremapping.rcahms.gov.uk/index.php?action=do_details&amp;cache_name=aWRudW1saW5rLDE1NzI1Ml9zZWFyY2h0eXBlLGFkdmFuY2VkX29yYQ==&amp;set=0&amp;list_z=0&amp;numlink=157252" rel="nofollow">http://canmoremapping.rcahms.gov.uk/index.php?action=do_details&amp;cache_name=aWRudW1saW5rLDE1NzI1Ml9zZWFyY2h0eXBlLGFkdmFuY2VkX29yYQ==&amp;set=0&amp;list_z=0&amp;numlink=157252</a></p> <p>New one to me and I'm a Seat Enthusiast. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-163990 Tue, 02 Sep 2014 07:35:50 +0000 bdellar 163990@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>The Galloping Glen..? Where's that? </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-163987 Tue, 02 Sep 2014 01:00:28 +0000 Snowy 163987@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>In younger and dafter days we used to take mtbs up to the trig point and see who could be first back to Holyrood. Not advisable then or now. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-163973 Mon, 01 Sep 2014 20:40:18 +0000 stiltskin 163973@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>No it is a Royal Park. Keep off the Grass. I'm afraid. </p> http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/topic.php?id=13381#post-163972 Mon, 01 Sep 2014 20:29:17 +0000 KeepPedalling 163972@http://citycyclingedinburgh.info/bbpress/ <p>Can I ask the forum what is the situation with cycling on the grassy areas of Holyrood Park? The "Holyrood park map and guide" says "Cycling is only permitted on the road and green path alongside the Galloping Glen. Off road cycling damages plant life and archaeology."</p> <p>Does the Land Reform Act etc trump that? </p>