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Order Scottish Outdoor Access Code Publications

The full Scottish Outdoor Access Code (133pp) can be ordered free of charge from Scottish Natural Heritage by calling (01738) 444 177 or emailing: pubs@snh.gov.uk. It can also be downloaded from www.outdooraccess-scotland.com, where further information is available.

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is also available in Gaelic and large print. There is a summary leaflet ‘Know the Code before you go!’, which was included in this pack. Further copies can be ordered from Scottish Natural Heritage, using the details above. This leaflet is also available in Gaelic, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Norwegian, Spanish, Swedish, Polish and Turkish. A shorter version is also available in Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Traditional Chinese, Arabic and Bengali. For more information visit www.outdooraccess-scotland.com

The Code for Specific Activities

There are a number of leaflets that summarise what the Code means for different users of the outdoors available from a range of organisations. These include:

Off-Road Cycling: good practice advice, including key points from the Scottish Outdoor Access Code
Contact: Jenny Wright, Scottish Cycling, Tel: 0131 652 0187
Are you riding responsibly
Contact: Pat Somerville, British Horse Society Scotland, Tel: 01294 270891
Paddlers' Access Code - Access advice for Paddlers in Scotland
Contact: Scottish Canoe Association Tel: 0131 3177314
Orienteering in Scotland, Advice on Access Contact: Scottish Orienteering Association Tel: 01479 861374

Visit www.outdooraccess-scotland.com

This website is where you can find out all you need to know about statutory access rights, responsibilities and how to manage access. There are different areas of the site specifically for Land Managers, Outdoor Users and Recreation Managers.

Contact Your Local Access Officer or Ranger

Local authorities and national park authorities (hereafter referred to as access authorities) have duties and powers under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Access officers and many rangers help to fulfil these duties and implement these powers.

Access authorities have a duty to promote the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Amongst other duties, they must draw up a plan for a system of Core paths to give the public reasonable access throughout their area.

Access authorities also have wide ranging powers to help manage access and recreation, including the power to introduce byelaws or other measures designed to prevent damage or to help to conserve the natural heritage. You can find out who your local access officer or ranger is by visiting www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/rangers

Contact Your Local Access Forum

A Local Access Forum is a group of representatives with different interests in access coming together to agree how to develop, manage and promote access locally. Generally the local access forum should include representatives from:

public agencies (for example Local Enterprise Company, Scottish Natural Heritage, Forestry Commission and so on),
land managers (for example National Farmers’ Union Scotland and Scottish Rural Property and Business Association),
users (for example those representing walkers, cyclists, horse-riders, people with disabilities and water sports)
community interests (e.g. Community Councils, Local Residents’ Association).

The two broad functions of a Local Access Forum are:

to advise on access rights, rights of way and the development of a core path plan and;
to offer assistance in disputes about access rights, rights of way, core path planning and the use of core paths.

Each forum will differ slightly in its membership and aims and objectives. However, the broad purpose is to help various users and access providers to talk to each other and understand each other, and to agree how to develop and manage access together.

You can find out more about your local access forums by contacting your local access officer (see above).

Other Access Contacts

At www.outdooraccess-scotland.com/rangers you will also find Scottish Natural Heritage Access Contacts. The following organisations also have appointed national access officers: