Technical guidance and advice

SATIN Online

The Scottish Access Technical Information Network (SATIN) has recently launched a web service and is looking for new members to share knowledge and experience on technical information. Membership is free - to sign up visit www.satinonline.org    and find out about events, join discussion groups about popular topics and share views. There is also the opportunity to forward technical information or information about events for inclusion on the site.

Guidance documents

The following guides aim to help people manage and improve paths and access provision in the countryside.  Most are available online free, however some are priced and have to be ordered through SNH's Publications Dept (email pubs@snh.gov.uk or phone 01738 458530).

Countryside Access Design Guide  

Targeted at paths and facility providers, this provides advice on how to choose and design structures that accommodate and assist public access.

Lowland Path Construction: A Guide to Good Practice   

Aimed at path providers and funding agencies, it promotes good practice in planning, path construction, maintenance and monitoring.

Upland Pathwork: Construction Standards for Scotland  

Devised for people such as pathworkers, surveyors and land managers, this gives guidance on the basic principles of upland path management and pathwork techniques.

Upland Path Management - Standards for Delivering Path Projects in Scotland's Natural Heritage

Complements the above Upland Pathwork guide and is designed for all those involved in upland path management.

Constructed Tracks in the Scottish Uplands 

A guide to the process of assessing the need for and planning a track.

Car Parks in the Countryside: A Practical Guide to Planning, Design & Construction 

Charge applies - available to order from SNH Publications.

Visitor Monitoring Manual 

Provides practical advice on developing a visitor monitoring strategy including identifying information needs, selecting methods, designing and carrying out surveys, analysing and interpreting results.

Path Benefits Toolkit 

Gives a step-by-step process to assess the social, environmental and economic benefits of a path network.

Advice on Monitoring Access and Recreation at Sensitive Natural Heritage Sites

Designed to help site managers plan and carry out monitoring of recreational activities at nature reserves and similar sites.

Management for People Manual 

Considers various aspects of visitor management, including visitor care and welfare and visitor monitoring.