Paths in Scotland
Scotland’s access legislation gives the public the right of access to almost all land and inland water in Scotland. Guidance on exceptions to where access rights do or do not apply is given in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Yet there is still a great demand for more paths to walk on. A lot of farmland in Scotland lacks clear, waymarked paths and many areas would benefit from better path networks to create walking and cycling links between communities and give easier access to the wider countryside. To improve the situation, the Scottish access legislation contains a duty for all access authorities to draw up a network of core paths in their area. These paths should eventually all be mapped and marked by the OS – which has to be good news for health and sustainable transport as well as for tourism. You can find a link to all adopted core paths plans on the Scottish Natural Heritage website.
Access rights on land and paths apply to all non-motorised users, as long as they behave responsibly. There is no restriction on cyclists or horseriders using certain paths as there is in England and Wales, but clearly it may not be responsible for a rider to use particular routes at certain times of the year or in some weather conditions, or at least riders may need to modify their behaviour,eg, if the path is busy with other users. Riders and walkers are expected to share paths in a responsible way, such as by using bicycle bells or faster users slowing down as they pass others travelling more sedately. People with a disability using a motorised vehicle adapted for their use are able to use these vehicles in the countryside.
Rights of way also exist in Scotland but there is no definitive map and they are not marked on OS maps. Far fewer rights of way have been secured than south of the border, and many of these are only claimed as such by interested parties. Many paths may be absent from maps but actually do exist on the ground, particularly for more popular routes.
Many Ramblers members and Groups have been involved in the core path planning process, whether by being members of Local Access Forums (LAFs) or by joining core paths planning groups. This process is now coming to its conclusion but there remains much to be done to ensure the plans are implemented.
Why not find out what is happening near you, and join in? If you are disappointed with the path provision in your area, contact your local councillor to ask for more paths.
Here are some of the things our groups have been doing:
• St Andrews Group published a leaflet outlining 14 walks around Cupar with financial support from Awards for All and SNH
• Cunninghame group published a book of 25 walks in the area to celebrate it’s 25th anniversary.
We are all looking forward to a having a better system of paths throughout the country, clearly waymarked, mapped and promoted.
For more details and guidance on getting involved in LAFs and core paths planning download our information pack Outdoor Access: Getting Involved
or contact the Ramblers Scotland office for more information on 01577 861222 or scotland@ramblers.org.uk
Nov 2009 - Central Scotland Green Network
Ramblers Scotland submitted a Parliamentary Briefing to MSPs on the Central Scotland Green Network (CSGN) for a debate in November 2009. The CSGN is a development in the National Planning Framework and we argued that it presented a huge opportunity to develop path networks close to where most people in Scotland live.
Read our Parliamentary Briefing here
