The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives people the right to access most land and inland water in Scotland, as long as they do so responsibly. The Act also places a duty on landowners to responsibly use and manage such land in a way which respects these rights. Guidance both on using these rights and on responsible land management is set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The Scottish Parliament’s Rural Affairs Committee is currently seeking to understand how well this statutory outdoor access system is working, and whether changes are needed to make sure it is fit for the future. As well as seeking input from organisations like ScotWays, the committee wants responses from the general public. Our access rights are well-loved, but they need defended, so please help by contributing your views! You have until Monday 23rd November.

How to respond

The consultation is in two parts. Everyone is welcome to answer all its 18 questions, but if you’re pressed for time we suggest concentrating solely on Part A which contains 4 more general questions:

1. What does outdoor access in Scotland mean to you, and how important is it in your daily life?
2. What works well about the current system of outdoor access?
3. What could be improved about the current system of outdoor access?
4. Are there any barriers that prevent you, or others, from enjoying outdoor access in Scotland?

Your response should reflect your own understanding and experience of outdoor access, but we suggest you could include references to:
– the benefits of public access rights to you, your family and your community, whether that’s physically, mentally, economically or for connection to nature;
– the importance of promoting the Scottish Outdoor Access Code to both access users and land managers;
– the need for investment in path networks and other infrastructure;
– Councils requiring proper funding and other resourcing in order to support access users and land managers, and also to be able to defend access rights where necessary.

Remember, this call for views closes on Monday 23rd November.
Read the full list of questions and submit your views at: Outdoor access – Scottish Parliament – Citizen Space.

Header image: The Scottish Parliament © Richard Barron