Wild Land News no 62, Winter 2004/2005

Access Legislation Article

The access legislation part of the Land Reform Act (Scotland) is likely to come into force in February 2005. The preparation has taken a longer time than planned, but the final piece in the jigsaw - the guidance to local authorities - is being finalised and laid on the floor of Parliament.

Hopefully, this time delay will allow local authorities, SNH and land owners and managers more time to prepare for the introduction of the statutory right of access. Existing common law rights still exist and are no extinguished or replaced - the statutory right is an 'add-on'. Similarly, rights-of-way retain their full current legal status.

Alistair Cant