Statutory Access Rights
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (which came into force in 2005) gives everyone rights of access over land and inland water throughout Scotland, subject to specific exclusions set out in the Act and as long as they behave responsibly. These rights are sometimes referred to as 'freedom to roam'.
- A Brief History of Access Rights
- A local landowner has fenced off a path that is well used by local people, and has put up a sign saying No trespassers’. What can I do about it?
- Are access rights different in Scotland from those in England and Wales?
- Can I go wild camping in Scotland?
- Can I ride my motorbike on a right of way or take it off road?
- Horse riders are using a local path and churning it up so that it is difficult for walkers to use. What can be done?
- Is there any need for rights of way, now that there is freedom of access?
- Moving and Closing Paths
- No Right of Access to Land in Scotland through the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
- Private Signs, Private Roads, Public Roads, What’s the difference?
- Right to Roam Timeline
- Rights of access to land
- Snares and traps in the Countryside
- The Coming of Access Rights
- The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, A Replacement for the Country Code
- What activities are covered by rights of access?
- What activities are not covered by rights of access?
- What are core paths?
- What does behaving responsibly mean?
- What happens when there is a dispute about whether, or how, the rights of access apply?
- What is a Local Access forum?
- What is the National Access Forum?
- Where can I cycle?
- Where Can I Ride or Drive my Horse?
- Where do access rights not apply?
- Who should I contact if I have a problem about access rights?
- Who’s responsible for path maintenance?