Right of access in Scotland

[Deleted Member 1156]

Just reading another thread about people on the course and right of access was mentioned. This is something I've never heard of before.

Can someone please explain what it involves. Where are the boundaries? People can wander about on private property (golf courses) but what about other private land (ie your back garden)??

Thanks


Edit: Just done a bit of googling, what a stupid law! There is an abundance of open countryside in Scotland, why on earth have they allowed the public to wander about areas used for sporting recreation?!?! You wouldn't walk your dog in the middle of a football pitch during a game on Sunday morning, why risk getting nutted by a golf ball because you are too stupid to understand the risks of where you are walking.

It makes me soooo angry................

 

[patricks148]

there are a few exceptions like " back gardens and fields of crops" but its pretty much access to the countryside.. sort of though places to get to somewhere is the best way to describe it. all sorts of regs and code implemented by SNH

its also does not apply to motor vehicles

 

[Slab]

Someone somewhere owns pretty much everything and there wouldn't be much 'open countryside' left if they all decided to prohibit entry. Even accessing the bits that were left may require crossing bits someone owns

 

[FairwayDodger]

On balance, I think it's a good law. Certainly as a hillwalker I know it allows me access to plenty of locations that some of the hunting estates might prefer to close off.

The problem comes when people think it means they can go anywhere and do anything. They can't. It's generally for access so, to cite an example from the other thread, you don't have the right to go on a golf course and sunbathe on the 4th fairway.

Coincidentally, I came across this on the Mortonhall website yesterday while looking to enter their open....

http://www.mortonhallgc.co.uk/dog-walkers-on-the-course/

 

[DCB]

Poorly worded law has left all clubs with a bit of a headache. It was rushed through at a time that it should have been reviewed and clarified rather than getting it onto the statute books.

It should have improved things across Scotland, but, it probably clouded more issues than it cleared. Recent legislation on the Loch Lomond park has been pushed thru to try and stop some of the problems they' ve been having under freedom to roam.

Golf courses should have had the same protection as sports pitches end of.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

It does tend to work quite well with mutual respect between landowner and the public.
As Doger says a few misinformed think they can do what they like.

Deer stalking is an obvious example with the owners having to post notices and info when they are active.
Re golf courses the public must not interfere with the playing of the game and maintenance so outside of that it should not be a problem.

Trespass laws are a nightmare anyway.
Remember the guy who woke up the Queen in her bedroom, he was never charged as he had walked through an open door.

 

[Foxholer]

Just reading another thread about people on the course and right of access was mentioned. This is something I've never heard of before.

Can someone please explain what it involves. Where are the boundaries? People can wander about on private property (golf courses) but what about other private land (ie your back garden)??

Thanks


Edit: Just done a bit of googling, what a stupid law! There is an abundance of open countryside in Scotland, why on earth have they allowed the public to wander about areas used for sporting recreation?!?! You wouldn't walk your dog in the middle of a football pitch during a game on Sunday morning, why risk getting nutted by a golf ball because you are too stupid to understand the risks of where you are walking.

It makes me soooo angry................

IMO, the 'Right to Roam' legislation, while having some pretty good points, was also used by Labour to 'stick one up the toffs with land' in a more subtle way than the 'Fox Hunting' bill was! Golf courses/clubs got caught up in the 'mess' it created (were they targeted?) that will only get sorted out properly after a few precedent-creating court cases!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Right to roam is probably seen a bit differently in Sutherland than Southend.

 

[c1973]

A well intentioned law with a few flaws probably.

Never had an issue with people using a course for 'access' before, always found them to be aware of their surroundings, alert and courteous personally.

 

[Foxholer]

Had a bunch of 'walkers' rather ignorantly ramble across the fairway at Driving length as if they owned the place a couple of weeks ago.

Completely oblivious of the danger they could have been in! Quite happy/keen to let them cross and get out of the way, but something about the assuming way it was done just grated!