Land owner wants insurance and indemnity to camp

[HillBill]

I thought to update the above - in case it helps others.

I spoke to my lawyer - he said whilst he understood the request by the land owner, it was more of a requirement for a business or organisation such as the Scouts. For a member of the public, the request was disproportional to the risk I posed. The main risk of a member of the public being on private land is a claim for financial loss for injury. My lawyer's advice was to phone the land owner, explain the above and offer to write a letter confirming I would not seek to claim any losses.

I phoned the land owner. He understood the points I raised and agreed, the provisions he requested were more suited to an organisation and therefore his risk/concern was around that public liability. As I was a member of the public, he was happy with an email response saying that I would not seek losses for injury and that I would not seek to cause damage. He also requested he knows when I will be on his land. He was supportive of people being in the wild and learning about nature. He will provide a permission email, so if I get challenged about wild camping on his land, I can show I have the right to be there.

Final thoughts - at first this seemed very daunting and I was worried about the conflict. I believe the land owner was pleased I contacted him, as it meant he knew who I was and why I wanted to be on his land. I believe he was pleasantly surprised I contacted him as other people just went on the land without permission. I believe it helped that I we are a father and son combo, he related to wanting to be outdoors and in nature, and that I was polite, courteous and respectful.

Good luck to anyone else in a similar position.

Its the same of you want to shoot on someones land. You'd generally need the insurance cover etc. Its not an expensive thing, more common sense than anything. If you're not an idiot, it's not really a problem... £30 a year for the insurance at worst (from a shooting perspective). No one expects it to be needed... but people need to cover themselves none the less.

 

[Pattree]

I’ve just had to amend my own plans slightly. I’m camping at Devils Bridge very soon. We booked ages ago when they said the Kelly Kettle would be ok. In view of the Welsh fires we checked and I can’t use them. Well that’s what the the Trangias are for.

In fact I’ll still take a little Kelly Kettle with me and fire it with a Trangia burner.

 

[Chris]

Its the same of you want to shoot on someones land. You'd generally need the insurance cover etc. Its not an expensive thing, more common sense than anything. If you're not an idiot, it's not really a problem... £30 a year for the insurance at worst (from a shooting perspective). No one expects it to be needed... but people need to cover themselves none the less.

I still think BASC is decent value for this, at the cost of a couple of pints (or one in London) per month.