Balloons warning as Fife field is damaged

THE BETTER weather in recent days may be ideal for hot air ballooning but there is a downside, according to Fife farmer Pat Lambert.

An incident on land that he farms near Strathmiglo has led him to call for balloon operators to observe the Scottish Countryside Access Code.

Mr Lambert, who manages the CG Greig Farms business from his base at Pitlochie, Gateside, said: “A Virgin Balloon flight flying with about a dozen occupants put down in the middle of a 30-acre field of winter wheat on Sunday evening.

“My understanding is that the balloon ditched at about 8.30pm before bouncing a couple of times across the field.

“The retrieval team with a Toyota Landcruiser and three-axle trailer then drove out into the field ignoring the 28 metre tramlines and backed up to the basket, which I was told weighs over 850kg, so they could winch it back on to the trailer.

“The thing that annoys me is that no permission was sought.

“Given the 28 milimetres of rain we had last Thursday, the field could hardly be classified as being dry.

“The wheel tracks and all the mauling about while the balloon was folded up has left an unsightly mess in what is quite a nice crop of Invicta after beans.

“The access code is quite clear as to a balloon operator’s responsibilities as regards livestock and growing crops but as I walked across to remonstrate with their behaviour, the recovery driver asked me why I should try and restrict their right to make a living.

“I did not point out the blindingly obvious fact that he had his truck parked uninvited in the middle of our crop.

“I should be clear that I am not against anyone making a legitimate living but I do think balloon operators should stick to the agreed code.”

The code reminds pilots that they have to act responsibly in accordance with the Scottish Land Reform (Scotland) Act and the Outdoor Access Code.

They should always contact the farmer — or in his or her absence a responsible agent, for instance close family or an employee — and obtain authorisation to retrieve the balloon.

This should be done before the pilot allows the retrieve vehicle to come on to private property.

There should also always be a landing record available giving as a minimum the pilot’s name and contact details, the balloon registration and the map reference of the landing area.

Any request made for a recovery fee should, wherever possible, be negotiated at an early stage and where a farmer incurs any extra expense in helping the balloonist with the retrieve, he or she should be reimbursed on a reasonable basis, which should be agreed at the outset.

According to the code settlement can be settled there and then, to prevent future delays through correspondence.

A photographic record of any damage should be made and any statement of facts signed by the farmer and the pilot.

A spokesperson for Shropshire-based Virgin Balloon Flights said: “One of our balloons took off from Falkland Golf Club carrying 16 passengers on Sunday afternoon and landed around an hour later in Gateside.

“Unlike most aircraft, hot air balloons travel on the wind and therefore they cannot be steered in the conventional sense, so they do not land in designated places or airfields.

“At every possible opportunity we try to avoid crop fields, however in this unfortunate circumstance some damage was caused for which the farmer was offered compensation.

“Efforts were made to find the land owner but as on this occasion this could not be done, the balloon was retrieved with the intention of notifying the farmer afterwards.

“Our pilot and crew have an excellent relationship with farmers and landowners in the area and this was a rare occurrence.”

Picture: Ewan Pate. Damage caused by the winching basket to the field in Fife, which has angered farmer Pat Lambert.