Outdoor access
Overview
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives people the right to access most land in Scotland, as long as they do so responsibly. This is known as Scottish access rights.
Guidance on enjoying these rights is set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
In February 2027, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code will be 22 years old. The Rural Affairs Committee is undertaking a short inquiry to understand how well Scotland's outdoor access system is working and consider whether changes are needed to ensure that it is fit for the future.
About this call for views
The call for views is in two parts:
Part A asks a small number of general questions and is open to anyone with an interest in outdoor access.
Part B asks more detailed, technical questions aimed at those with specific expertise or a direct stake in outdoor access policy and practice. Members of the public are welcome to respond to these questions too, but should feel free to focus only on Part A if they prefer.
The Committee is not seeking views on whether access rights should exist, or in relation to local issues.
Who we would like to hear from
We want to hear from a wide range of individuals and organisations, including:
- members of the public
- access authorities
- land and property owners
- outdoor/adventure education providers
- official sporting governing bodies
- advocacy groups
- tourism and visitor economy organisations
- community groups
- any other stakeholders with an interest in outdoor access for business or recreation.
Questions in this call for views
You do not need to answer every question – please respond to whichever parts are most relevant to you.
Part A
General Questions
1. What does outdoor access in Scotland mean to you, and how important is it in your daily life?
2. What works well about the current system of outdoor access?
3. What could be improved about the current system of outdoor access?
4. Are there any barriers that prevent you, or others, from enjoying outdoor access in Scotland?
Part B
Rights and responsibilities
1. What impact has Scotland’s approach to outdoor access and access rights had in the last 21 years?
2. What role has the Scottish Outdoor Access Code played in developing a culture of responsible access?
3. What role have access authorities played in developing a culture of responsible access?
'Access authorities' are public bodies responsible for upholding and managing outdoor access rights. They are Scotland’s local authorities and Scotland’s two National Park authorities.
4. What are the key issues relating to irresponsible access?
5. What role has the Scottish Outdoor Access Code played in developing a culture of responsible management?
6. What role have access authorities played in developing a culture of responsible management?
7. What are the key issues relating to irresponsible management?
New technologies, activities and changing management practices
8. To what extent have changes in the last 21 years (e.g. through new technologies, activities and management practices) affected:
a) access rights and responsibilities
b) management rights and responsibilities
9. Does the Land Reform Act and Scottish Outdoor Access Code adequately address these changes?
Wildfire
10. Does the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (and associated information campaigns) adequately strengthen public awareness of the potential for and risks of wildfire?
NatureScot and access authorities
11. Do NatureScot and the National Access Forum adequately fulfil their respective duties and purposes in ensuring the Scottish Outdoor Access Code is working as it should?
12. Are access authorities adequately equipped and resourced (including staffing and access infrastructure) to manage, protect and promote access rights?
13. Do access authorities have adequate powers to deal with:
a) irresponsible access
b) irresponsible management
Dispute resolution
14. Is the legal framework and process for resolving disputes, and addressing irresponsible access and management fit for purpose, in that:
a) how well do Local Access Forums support access authorities to fulfil relevant statutory duties?
b) how well do Local Access Forums and/or other routes to resolve access disputes (i.e. through legal action) work in practice?
c) how might the framework and process be improved?
How to contribute
Please answer the call for views by completing the submission form below.
Please note the Committee will not accept late submissions, and responses must be made using the Citizen Space platform.
We welcome written views in English, Gaelic, Scots or any other language.
You can also give your views to the Committee in a BSL video. If you send a video, we will arrange for a translation and pay for this. You can send a video through a file transfer service such as WeTransfer, or upload to YouTube and share it as a private link with us by email.
Analysis
The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) will prepare a summary and analysis of responses.
If we receive a very high volume of submissions, this may need to be prepared based on a sample of submissions.
Confidentiality and publication of responses
Please let us know if you wish your response to remain confidential. You can also ask for your submission to be anonymised.
We aim to publish all the submissions we receive. The only exceptions are where submissions are made on a “confidential” or “not for publication” basis.
If we receive a very high volume of submissions, we may not have the resources to process and publish them all.
The call for views closes on 23 November 2026.
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