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Access

In Scotland there has long been a general presumption of access to all land unless there is a very good reason for the public to be excluded. The Land Reform Act 2003 confirmed this presumption, and walkers in Scotland now have a statutory right of access to all land, except for areas such as railway land, quarries, harbours, airfields and defence land where the public are excluded by law. Access rights extend to all beaches and foreshores.

Walkers should act responsibly when exercising their right of access, and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code published by Scottish Natural Heritage and available at www.outdooraccess-scotland.com. For example, you should avoid walking across growing crops or croftland when there is a route round it, and obey advisory signs asking you to avoid certain areas at certain times for land management, safety or conservation reasons. Particular care should be taken during the deer-stalking season, which typically runs from 1 July to 20 October, and the grouse-shooting season which runs from 12 August to 10 December. During these times it is best to check with the local tourist information offices which will be able to give you contact details for any nearby estates.