Many people own dogs – it is estimated that there are between 800,000 and 1 million dogs in Scotland (a number which has grown significantly in recent years during and since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020). NatureScot states that one in five visits to the outdoors are by people with dogs, and that dog walking is the main opportunity for many people to experience the outdoors. As a result, it is very important to know how to walk your dog safely and responsibly, including how to keep them under proper control to avoid worrying or harming livestock, damaging crops, disturbing wildlife and alarming people.

Dog Walking and Statutory Access Rights  #

In Scotland, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides a general right of access to all land and inland water (unless specifically excluded) which can be exercised for recreational, educational, and some commercial purposes. Dog walking is included under access for recreational purposes as long as you act responsibly while doing so.

Guidance to responsible behaviour is set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Key responsibilities when exercising your statutory right of access while accompanied by your dog(s):

• Never let your dog worry or attack livestock; 
• Do not take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young animals [except if you are on a right of way; see below]; 
• Do not take your dog into fields of vegetables or fruit unless you are on a clear path, such as a core path or right of way, and keep your dog to the path; 
• If you go into a field of farm animals, keep as far as possible from the animals and keep your dog(s) on a short lead or under close control; 
• If cattle react aggressively and move towards you, keep calm, let the dog go and take the shortest, safest route out of the field; 
• During the bird breeding season (usually April to July), keep your dog under close control or on a short lead in areas such as moorland, forests, grassland, loch shores and the seashore; 
• Pick up and remove your dog’s faeces if it defecates in a public open place; and 
• In recreation areas and other public places, avoid causing concern to others by keeping your dog under close control. 

You do not have access rights if accompanying a dog which is not under proper control.  

There is no absolute rule that a dog must be kept on a lead, but it is easier to demonstrate that a dog is under proper control if it is on a lead.  

While there is no limit to the number of dogs that can accompany an access user, the fewer dogs there are the easier it is to demonstrate that they are under proper control.  

Dog Walking and Rights of Way  #

When using a public right of way, this right must be exercised ‘civiliter’ which means with as little disturbance to the landowner’s interest as possible. A walker can be accompanied by their dog on a public right of way provided they act responsibly. For example, by keeping dogs on a short lead where there is livestock and picking up their faeces. 

What if I don’t keep my dog under control?  #

There can be consequences to not keeping dogs under proper control:

Under various acts, such as the Control of Dogs (Scotland) 2010 Act and the Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Scotland) Act 1953 (amended in 2021 and 2026), you can be fined for the actions of your dog(s). You can also face imprisonment.

Under the Animals (Scotland) Act 1987, a farmer may shoot your dog(s), in some circumstances, if it is harrying or attacking livestock.

Even if a dog is under proper control on a public right of way, other criminal and civil offences relating to dogs can still apply (e.g. dog fouling).