Adventure Scotland - Outdoor Access

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Scottish Outdoor Access

Outdoor Access rights in Scotland

Know the Code, before you go.

In February 2005, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gave Scotland some of the most progressive access legislation in Europe, giving everyone a statutory right of responsible access to most land and inland water.

Find out more about the Land Reform Act and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code by visiting www.outdooraccess-scotland.com or telephone Scottish Natural Heritage on 01738 444177 for a copy of the full Code or a leaflet.

The access rights cover many activities, including:

- Informal activities, such as picnicking, photography and sightseeing;
- Active pursuits, including walking, cycling, riding, canoeing and wild camping;
- Taking part in recreational and education events;
- Simply going from one place to another.

The access rights don't however, apply to any kind of motorised activity (unless for disabled access) or to hunting, shooting or fishing.

Access rights can be exercised over most of Scotland, from urban parks and path networks to our hills and forests and from farmland and field margins to our beaches, lochs and rivers. However, access rights don't apply everywhere, such as in buildings or their immediate surroundings, or in houses or their gardens, or most land in which crops are growing.

Know the Code before you go ?
Enjoy Scotland's outdoors! Everyone has the right to be on most land and inland water for recreation, education and for going from place to place providing they act responsibly. These access rights and responsibilities are explained in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and the key things to remember are:

When you're in the outdoors:
- take personal responsibility for your own actions and act safely;
- respect people's privacy and peace of mind;
- help land managers and others to work safely and effectively;
- care for your environment, take your litter home;
- keep your dog under proper control;
- take extra care if you are organising an event or running a business.

If you're managing the outdoors:
- respect access rights;
- act reasonably when asking people to avoid land management operations;
- work with your local authority and others to help integrate access and land management;
- respect rights of way and customary access.