THE RAMBLERS' Association welcomed the final stage of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill as it completed its passage through the Scottish Parliament on 22 and 23 January.
Ramblers Scotland Chairman Alison Mitchell said: "This is an historic occasion, the final stage in a process which will secure, in statute, Scotland's traditional freedoms to take responsible access to land and water for outdoor recreation.
"The campaign to give legislative protection to our right to roam extends back to the 1890s when James Bryce MP placed the first of many private members Bills before the House of Commons. It has taken the establishment of the Scottish Parliament, with its commitment to land reform, to turn the vision into reality."
Commenting on the parliamentary process Alison Mitchell said: "The passage of this Bill through the Parliament has demonstrated the quality of the democratic process now operating in Scotland. Members of the Parliament, the Executive and their officials have subjected this Bill to intense scrutiny and debate. They have engaged in dialogue and discussion with civic society in exactly the way that was intended when this Parliament was established.
"The result is a Bill which enters its final stage through a process of extensive modification and amendment. It is legislation which should command the full support of the Scottish people. It lays the framework for new access arrangements, securing both our traditional rights and freedoms as well as providing a modern system for protecting paths and developing new path networks, which will last for decades. From this week on we can proudly say that Scotland has one of the best arrangements in Europe for public access to land and water for its citizens and for its visitors."
Looking forward, Alison Mitchell said she was confident that farmers, crofters and estate owners would gain much advantage from the legislation: "From our experience on the Access Forum, where outdoor interests worked with land managers to prepare the recommendations which led to this legislation, we are confident that the new framework will facilitate a fresh dialogue and consensus. Already we see local landowners and farmers sitting down with local community groups to plan path networks around villages and towns. Only a few loud voices are left threatening action in the European Court. Meanwhile they fight amongst themselves, like ferrets in a sack, trying to decide who speaks for a handful of rich landowners."
Alison Mitchell also called on the Government to build on the momentum: "As we approach next May's elections the politicians of Scotland can congratulate themselves on a land reform job well done. Now they have to play their part in delivery. Substantial funds will be needed for the path networks which are central to the successful implementation of this legislation. The Executive must play its part, in its support for local authorities, Scottish Natural Heritage and the voluntary sector. Of crucial importance will be agricultural funding. With major revisions of the Common Agricultural Policy underway our civil servants have a golden opportunity to design for Scotland new agriculture grant arrangements which will held to deliver quality public access through our farmland. I hope they are up to the challenge."
