Managing access

The publication Public Access and Land Management (PALM)    is designed to help land managers and their advisors think about how to integrate access and land management following the introduction of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 in February 2005.

It summarises obligations under Part 1 of the Act and other relevant legislation and describes ways of dealing with issues arising from access to the outdoors in four case studies:

• Eaglescairnie Mains Farm 
• Meigle Farm 
• Balliefurth Farm   
• Meggernie and Lochs Estate   

Access to inland water

This presents its own challenges to inland water managers but these have been addressed in the publication: Using Inland Water Responsibly, Guidance for All Water Users    

Cattle and public access

The Health and Safety Executive information note Cattle and public access in Scotland  provides advice on minimising the risk to the public from cattle, particularly where bulls or newly carved cattle are grazed. 

Public access and Occupiers' Liabilities

An outline of occupiers' liability law, as it relates to outdoor access in Scotland, is given in the publication A Brief Guide to Occupiers' Liabilities in Scotland .

Equestrian access

You can find further advice on managing equestrian access here  .  This advice has been developed in partnership by the Scottish Land and Estates and the British Horse Society Scotland.

• Detailed guidance about equestrian access on different types of land use 
• Good Practice Case Studies 

Managing Access with Dogs

The following poster can help you raise awareness of disease transfer to livestock from dogs  . Please feel free to download and use it. If you have an acute problem with dogs and access, contact your local access officer for assistance.

The National Access Forum has developed guidance on managing access with dogs to safeguard breeding birds in protected areas, which can be found here

• Managing access with dogs in protected areas to safeguard breeding birds