How to Use this Page. #

These are not guidebooks about which path to follow or what hills to climb, these are books that cover the management and development of outdoor access.

Publications are grouped by subject area and then by decade.

Each entry follows the same layout and is organised thus:

Author, (Year of publication), Title, Publisher, followed by a paragraph about the book. This may be the advertising paragraph from the book cover or a short review.

Where possible a weblink is included, but some of the publications are not available online so you will need to use your favourite bookseller to get a copy. Some are no longer in print so you may need to go to a real bricks and mortar library to find a copy.

Scottish Natural Heritage (2000) A Technical Guide to the Design and Construction of Lowland Recreation Routes, Scottish Natural Heritage ISBN: 1 85397 085 9 #

This handbook provides practical advice on the construction of recreation routes on low ground in the countryside. The term recreation routes is used because these paths are not just for walking, but also for off-road cycling and riding where this is feasible. The advice in the handbook focuses on the engineering aspects of assessing sites and suitable approaches to the basic elements of construction, but it does not cover the broader issue of planning route networks, the provision of additional facilities along recreation routes, or the management of the public’s use of these routes.

Paths for All (2001) Lowland Path Construction – A Guide to Good Practice. Scottish Natural Heritage, Scottish Enterprise, Paths for All Partnership. ISBN: None. #

• How do you decide what kind of path is appropriate in any given situation?
• How do you ensure that the path constructed will be fit for its purpose?
• How can you create a good quality, long-lasting path network?

This Guide aims to provide answers to these questions by leading you through a step by step
process, identifying the key issues which are critical to successful path implementation and
offering a range of practical solutions. The aim is to provide an easy to follow guide to path
construction, rather than a prescriptive manual. Weblink.

Department of Transport (2002) Safety at Street Works and Road Works, A Code of Practice, The Stationery Office (TSO) ISBN: 0 11 551958 0 #

Today’s roads are full of fast, heavy traffic. Drivers have to keep a constant look-out for changing road conditions. Whilst this code is primarily directed at you the operative, supervisors and managers have an important responsibility to make sure that all street and road works and operatives are safe. Road users should not be put at risk, and should be informed well in advance about the size and nature of any obstruction. This applies to vulnerable users – including pedestrians, cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders – as well as drivers.

You must also pay particular attention to the needs of blind and disabled people, children, elderly people and people with prams. Weblink.

The Countryside Agency, Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council, Kent County Council (2002) Quiet Lanes Around the Greensand Ridge, A National Demonstration Project in Kent, The Countryside Agency. ISBN: NONE #

The Greensand Ridge Quiet Lanes scheme is one of two National Demonstration Projects, the other being in north Norfolk. This report sets out how this scheme was developed and why. The aim of the scheme was to look at how to preserve the character of some country lanes and make them more attractive for cyclists, horse riders and walkers, whilst maintaining essential access by motor vehicles for local residents, essential services and businesses.

Scottish Natural Heritage (2002) Countryside Access Design Guide. Scottish Natural Heritage ISBN: 1 85397 339 4 #

For many years, the design factsheets prepared by the former Countryside Commission for Scotland: often referred to as the “Battleby Display Centre Information Sheets” . have been a much-valued aid to countryside practitioners. This Countryside Access Design Guide builds on and updates these technical information sheets. In addition, the technical information is backed by advice and guiding principles aimed at helping practitioners understand the design principles and then make informed choices about the appropriate design solution for particular circumstances. SUPERSEDED.

Janice Grey (2004) Managing Access Guidance for Owners and Managers of Land. Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (now Scottish Land and Estates ) IBSN: None #

This SRPBA publication is intended to provide land managers with information that will assist their positive management of land / inland water available for outdoor access in ways which should not bring them into conflict with the provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act or contradict the guidance given in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Jo Hunt, Richard Ball, Dougie Baird, Rory McLeod, Michael Meighan (2004) Upland Path Management.  Standards for Delivering Path Projects in Scotland’s Mountains. Upland Path Advisory Group ISBN: 1 853973 42 4 #

This manual complements the invaluable work carried out in 1998/9 in developing the Upland Path Techniques manual. Whereas the Techniques manual dealt predominantly with practical path work, the Upland Path Management manual has been designed to cover the process from developing an upland path project proposal, through project delivery to closure and aftercare. weblink.

Paths for All (2006) Path Bridges, Planning, Design, Construction and Maintenance. Paths for All Partnership, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Civil Engineering. ISBN: NONE #

This new guide replaces the Countryside Commission for Scotland’s ‘Footbridges in
the Countryside’ – for almost 25 years the main guidance available. Path Bridges is the result of collaboration between the Paths for All Partnership and Forestry Civil Engineering, with financial support from Scottish Natural Heritage.

The guide has been a long time in the making. It has been our intention to provide the most comprehensive information available in a way that is as accessible to engineers as it is to those with little or no experience of construction. This has proved challenging! We hope that we have achieved this balance and that the guide will help you and the people you work with build bridges fit for today’s world with confidence and understanding. weblink.

Redford A (2006) Building Countryside Paths and Tracks. Crowood Press ISBN 1 86126 852 1 #

Containing 165 photographs and drawings, Building Countryside Paths and Tracks includes practical advice for the construction of a variety of steps, gates, stiles, bridges and surfaces, including identifying the line of the path, drainage and waymarking. Intended primarily for those who are embarking on a practical career in the countryside, this book will also be invaluable for anyone involved in the maintenance, repair or restoration of paths and tracks, whether on a remote hilltop or mountain or as a garden landscaping project.

Land Use Consultants (2006) Constructed Tracks in the Scottish Uplands.  Scottish Natural Heritage (Now NatureScot) ISBN: 1 85397 468 4. #

Recent years have seen an increase in the demand for new tracks in the Scottish uplands. Some of this demand comes from traditional activities such as farming or estate management. Additional demands are associated with the development of windfarms and telecommunications infrastructure, including mobile phone networks. As many coniferous forests mature so additional tracks are required to move harvested timber.

The uplands are a sensitive and valued part of Scotland’s natural heritage. Careful location, design, construction and maintenance of tracks can reduce the magnitude of impacts on the natural heritage. There are, however, many locations where a new track would result in unacceptable impacts. In such situations, the construction of a track is inappropriate and it will be necessary to adopt alternative approaches. Weblink.