Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Interactive Map
  • Donate
  • Twitter
Menu
  • Visit the countryside
    • Local Paths
    • Interactive Map
    • Perthshire Big Tree Country
    • Cateran Trail
    • River Tay Way
    • Go Geocaching
    • Information for Dog Walkers
    • Scottish Access Rights
  • Conservation & Access Projects
    • Our conservation work
      • Perthshire Nature Connections Partnership
      • Perthshire Conifer Conservation Programme
      • National Tree Collections of Scotland
      • Tay Landscape Partnership
    • Our access projects
      • Bridge of Earn to Newburgh Active Travel Route
      • Rannoch Riverside All Abilities Path
      • Stanley to Luncarty Active Travel Route
      • Working with communities
  • Education
  • Maps & Resources
    • Buy Maps & Books
    • Download Leaflets
    • Keep it Clean
  • Support us
    • Friends of Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust
    • Make a donation
    • Support an appeal
    • Leave a gift in your will
    • Become a funder
    • Business Support Schemes
  • Latest
    • News
    • Events
    • Blog
  • About Us
    • About us
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  • Your Access Rights

Your Access Rights

Scotland has some of the best access rights in the world.  You have the right to be on most land and inland water in Scotland providing you act responsibly.  This means you can walk, cycle, ride your horse and wild camp almost anywhere as long as you comply with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

You can read a summary of your main responsibilities from Part 3 of the Code below of download the full version. Alternatively, you can download a copy of the entire Scottish Outdoor Access Code document.

EXERCISING ACCESS RIGHTS RESPONSIBLY

1) Take personal responsibility for your own actions.

You can do this by:

  • caring for your own safety by recognising that the outdoors is a working environment and by taking account of natural hazards;
  • taking special care if you are responsible for children as a parent, teacher or guide to ensure that they enjoy the outdoors responsibly and safely.

2) Respect people's privacy and peace of mind.

You can do this by:

  • using a path or track, if there is one, when you are close to a house or garden;
  • if there is no path or track, by keeping a sensible distance from houses and avoiding ground that overlooks them from close by;
  • taking care not to act in ways which might annoy or alarm people living in a house; and
  • at night, taking extra care by keeping away from buildings where people might not be expecting to see anyone and by following paths and tracks.

3) Help land managers and others to work safely and effectively.

You can do this by:

  • not hindering a land management operation, by keeping a safe distance and following any reasonable advice from the land manager;
  • following any precautions taken or reasonable recommendations made by the land manager, such as to avoid an area or route when hazardous operations, such as tree felling and crop spraying, are under way;
  • checking to see what alternatives there are, such as neighbouring land, before entering a field of animals;
  • never feeding farm animals;
  • avoiding causing damage to crops by using paths or tracks, by going round the margins of the field, by going on any unsown ground or by considering alternative routes on neighbouring ground; and by
  • leaving all gates as you find them.

4) Care for your environment.

You can do this by:

  • not intentionally or recklessly disturbing or destroying plants, birds and other animals, or geological features;
  • following any voluntary agreements between land managers and recreation bodies;
  • not damaging or disturbing cultural heritage sites;
  • not causing any pollution and by taking all your litter away with you.

5) Keep your dog under proper control.

You can do this by:

  • never letting it worry or attack livestock;
  • never taking it into a field where there are calves or lambs;
  • keeping it on a short lead or under close control in fields where there are farm animals;
  • if cattle react aggressively and move towards you, by keeping calm, letting the dog go and taking the shortest, safest route out of the field;
  • keeping it on a short lead or under close control during the bird breeding season (usually April to July) in areas such as moorland, forests, grassland, loch shores and the seashore;
  • picking up and removing any faeces if your dog defecates in a public open place.

6) Take extra care if you are organising an event or running a business.

You can do this by:

  • contacting the relevant land managers if you are organising an educational visit to a farm or estate;
  • obtaining the permission of the relevant land managers if your event needs facilities or services, or is likely, to an unreasonable extent, to hinder land management operations, interfere with other people enjoying the outdoors or affect the environment;
  • talking to the land managers who are responsible for places that you use regularly or intensively.

Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Published: 23rd September, 2016

Updated: 18th March, 2020

Author: Deleted User

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Perthshire countryside welcomes three new Trustees

    Perthshire countryside welcomes three new Trustees

    Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust is pleased to announce that it is welcoming three new Trustees to its Board. Help us welcome Richard, Clare and Denise! >

  • It is snowdrop time!

    It is snowdrop time!

    Explore the many gardens across Scotland taking part in this year's Scottish Snowdrop Festival 2023 and celebrate these lovely little flowers >

  • Aberfeldy tourism set for multi-use visitor facilities

    Aberfeldy tourism set for multi-use visitor facilities

    New visitor facilities and information hub to welcome visitors to Highland Perthshire.

  • Murthly Sawmill woodland path gets improved access for visitors

    Murthly Sawmill woodland path gets improved access for visitors

    The stunning woodland path at the back of Murthly Sawmill (SPIT/113) has been made more accessible for everyone thanks to over £5,000 of path improvement works. Find out more >

Most read

  • The Cateran Trail

    The Cateran Trail

    One of Scotland’s Great Trails, the Cateran Trail is a fully waymarked, 64-mile (103 km) route through Perthshire and the Angus glens in the heart of Scotland.

  • Pitlochry Walks

    Pitlochry Walks

    Pitlochry is set in spectacular scenery and is ideally located for touring Highland Perthshire or further afield.

  • Crieff Walks

    Crieff Walks

    Crieff is a bustling country town set amidst magnificent Perthshire scenery. It straddles the Highland Boundary Fault where the rolling Lowland landscape meets majestic Highland terrain.

  • Dunkeld & Birnam Walks

    Dunkeld & Birnam Walks

    Dunkeld and Birnam is one of the best preserved historic towns in Scotland surrounded by a fantastic choice of walks and rides in breathtaking countryside.

  • The Loch Leven Heritage Trail

    The Loch Leven Heritage Trail

    Loch Leven Heritage Trail is a circular path of 13 miles (21 km) linking natural, historic and cultural heritage around Loch Leven.

  • Blairgowrie Walks

    Blairgowrie Walks

    Nestled on the banks of the River Ericht in the heart of Scotland, the Perthshire town of Blairgowrie & Rattray is ideally located for a day trip and or use as a base to explore Central and Eastern Scotland.

  • Top 10 Autumn Walks in Perthshire

    Top 10 Autumn Walks in Perthshire

    There is nowhere better in Scotland to take in the glorious colours of autumn than Perthshire. Home of Big Tree Country, the whole area blazes with reds, oranges and golds as the leaves turn. Salmon leaping and dear rutting add to the seasonal sights and sounds waiting to be discovered.

  • Pitlochry

    Pitlochry

    Allean Forest, Faskally Woods, the Pass of Killiecrankie and Queen's View - the most popular tourist site in Perthshire - combine for an unforgettable day out in Perthshire Big Tree Country.

  • Download Leaflets

    Download Leaflets

    There are SO many fascinating and beautiful walks across Perthshire. Check out the leaflets available to download and plan your next adventure.

  • Crieff & Strathearn

    Crieff & Strathearn

    Stroll along Lady Mary's Walk, climb up The Knock for breath-taking panoramic views, or visit Glen Lednock for atmospheric woods and dramatic waterfalls.

Want to know what we are up to?

Sign up to PKCT's e-newsletter to get our latest project news straight to your inbox twice per year.


Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Latest tweet

Want to know what we are up to?

Sign up to PKCT's e-newsletter to get our latest project news straight to your inbox twice per year.


Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Quick Links

  • Contact us
  • Full sitemap
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy policy

Social Media

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram


Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust is a Scottish Charity, SC027481, regulated by the Scottish Charity Regulator (OSCR) and is a company, limited by guarantee.

Registered Office: Pullar House, 35 Kinnoull Street, Perth, PH1 5GD

Manage Cookie Preferences