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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to walk down this path?

60 replies

GoldenOmber · 03/09/2021 15:51

Near where I live there’s a lot of nice walking paths. One of them goes near a small group of new houses. The footpath predates the houses. It’s on private land I believe (not owned by the people in the new houses), but, as we’re in Scotland, you’re allowed to cross private land on foot so long as you’re being responsible and not too close to anyone’s homes etc.

The people who live in the new houses do not like walkers going along this footpath. They can’t actually stop people (they have put a No Entry sign up previously, which the council made them take down), but if you walk down that path they will sometimes come up and question you about where you’re going and why you’re there and make it very clear they’d rather you weren’t.

Today, nice day off, out for a walk, strolling happily down that path to find a local resident standing with arms folded glaring at me. Did not respond to a cheery “Morning!”

The path isn’t close enough to any of the houses to see in through the windows or anything, and it doesn’t cross anyone’s gardens, and it’s part of a nice longer walking route. Legally, walking down it is fine. But the people in those houses definitely do not want people doing it.

YABU - walk somewhere else, who cares what the law says, they don’t like it.
YANBU - law overrides what they like, keep walking.

OP posts:
itsgettingwierd · 03/09/2021 19:20

They chose to buy a house situated next to a walk route that's open to anyone to walk along.

Pretty entitled to then decide you don't want people walking on it.

I think I'd be tempted to say "I'm going down there" pointing in front of me and if they em times not liking it suggest they shouldn't have brought a house situated where it is then. Wink

AdoptedBumpkin · 03/09/2021 19:22

Walk past whistling with really bright clothing Grin

mumwon · 03/09/2021 19:32

If you have u3a in your area ask them if they would like to walk this path with you
Some of us are crochety old blighters who would thoroughly enjoy stirring the pot
Alternatively (if I wasn't with dh who gets easily embarrassed) I would stop cross my arms & stare back with raised eyebrow
Keep on walking! (Oh & is there a local facebook group - you could have lots of fun on there)
Isolating has really affected me - I have become a really grouchy OL - its soo much fun Grin

LavendulaAngustifolia · 03/09/2021 19:48

You must use it as mentioned previously it's important to keep them open.

DerAlteMann · 03/09/2021 20:20

We once looked at a house in a similar position (in England & it was a right of way). We didn't fancy people walking past the house so we didn't buy it. Keep walking.

MarieIVanArkleStinks · 03/09/2021 20:34

Set up a rambling group and walk up and down there twenty times at a stretch singing 'The Wild Rover' interspersed with 'The Happy Wanderer' over and over again. Teach one of your members the tin whistle.

If they don't stop it after that, get a snare drum.

Wankers.

Thadhiya · 03/09/2021 20:37

I would walk down that path. I would walk down it twice a day and make a blog called "A Path of Wankers" and post daily videos of their cross little faces and angry folded arms. I'd make memes of them. I'd gain a large social media following. With sponsorship deals, I would make walking down that path my entire life.

ChargingBuck · 03/09/2021 21:46

I would make walking down that path my entire life.

Loving the Blitz Spirit @Thadhiya
Here's £5 to run your wankers blog :)

TheGirlInTheGreenDress · 03/09/2021 22:01

Their reaction would make me use it more tbh

RainingYetAgain · 04/09/2021 19:58

Loving the comments about fancy dress.
However on a more boring aspect. If you are in a village, does the Parish Council have a footpaths officer? Ours is very good at tackling awkward land owners. If not, it might be worth a word with a local councillor as its the sort of thing that they are good at, especially if they can get publicity at election time.. Also, our County Council has Rights of Way team linked to Highways and they are very keen on keeping PROW open, so it might be worth notifying them of the issues you experience. Any formal notification you do, will stop the house owners getting the path closed.
(BTW I have a footpath on my land and am very keen on keeping them open)

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