Locations where the public can enter the Reserve have been described in
Chapter I. There is one public right of way across the Golf Links to
the east of the Reserve and across the southern section of the Reserve
to the east of the Bay. This is the track running from Gala Law quarry
to the ford across the Peffer Burn near the footbridge. It is also
possible that a right of way exists from either Gullane or Aberlady to
Gullane Point, where the ironstone mine was situated, but this has not
been ascertained.
Within the Reserve, there are no restrictions on pedestrians or on
boats. Vehicles, as defined by Bye-Law l(d), are not allowed except by
special permission. Riders of horses, ponies and pedal cycles are
controlled by Bye-Law 3, and further control of animals with iron-shod
hooves is proposed in Chapter V, sections l(d) (ii) and 3(b) (v) of
this Plan.
Bye-Laws: The Reserve became subject to Bye-Laws on 7 October, 1952;
and to two further Bye-Laws on 12 February, 1954. The Bye-Laws are
contained in Appendix 2.
Permits: Permits can be obtained from the County Clerk who acts in
conjunction with the Management Committee. The conditions attached to
permits for wildfowling are stated in Chapter V, section 3(a) of this
Plan. Permits to collect plants and animals have been outlined in
Chapter V, section 4(d).
Hazards: Although two midget submarines, beached on the sand in the
centre of Aberlady Bay, were used for bombing practice by aircraft
during the war, there is no risk of unexploded bombs anywhere within
the Reserve.
One fatal accident occurred near Jovie's Neuk in 1953 when a child fell
into loose sand over a rabbit hole. There is no dangerously soft sand
anywhere within the Reserve below H.W.M.O.S.T.
