However, in the light of all that has been posted about the farmer's field problems at Leeming, could I just add that occasional issues are sometimes apparent at Spade with the resultant concerns about security on the MoD land.
Often access rights can be difficult to fathom, range signs only say 'no access when the red flag is flying' (which is rare even during range use), and most range use can seem rather distant for us low level aviation photographers and enthusiasts, which in some situations can lead to over-enthusiasm to get ever closer to the action. But the sensible option is to assume and keep to the public roads and footpaths, as 'open access' is not a feature of MoD ranges!
Local farmers are well aware of where the public footpaths are and of the lengths some people will go to, and they will contact the MoD security if necessary - if I am walking in the area I am more than happy with that.
Forum sites such as this are read by the usual 'concerned locals' and most regular users of the range are known, for good or for bad - hopefully the former!
Last time I was there it looked like a new camera mast was being installed at Wiley Sike, which in one sense is a good thing as it will perhaps make security issues more apparent to anyone visiting, but if new to the area, the following may be useful:
- - that the single track public road to Chirnside has few parking places, is used regularly by locals (and the cattle do love to mooch on the road), the verges are often very soft as several know to their cost and as seen during the last JW Ex with a RNlA truck being stuck up to its axle, and a few of the limited laybys have priority for MoD use (especially Wiley Sike) if necessary
- the largest area for parking is good for accessing the gorge and Crammal Linn waterfall (well worth a visit, although last time I was there a small landslip had affected the final bit of path to the waterfall)
- there are few footpaths within the main range area, these abound the margins of the range, and often parking to access the routes is limited - none of these paths give you any real advantage (in terms of proximity to photo opportunities) compared to Wiley Sike especially in inclement weather but some give fabulous views over the surrounding countryside, of the Lakeland fells, the Solway Firth and/or the North Pennines
- Wiley Sike tends to be the main meeting point for the LL watchers (but on many occasions it is a place of great solitude!), it would be great (tho don't hold your breath) if the MoD could open a café in the lovely new red and white portacabin, the LL pilots tend to know that photographers frequent Wiley Sike so if they have time or flexibility within their mission planning they often overfly in the vicinity (but guessing when is a good time to go there to photograph is a gamble and 'lady luck' is it seems in a different part of the country), and be prepared for 50 degrees of cooler temperature when there!
Regards
Chris