Shetland Outdoors

In Scotland, unlike the rest of the UK, we are lucky in that members of the public can go on to most land to enjoy the outdoors as long as they behave responsibly and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is based on three key principles -

• Respect the interests of others.

• Care for the environment.

• Take responsibility for your own actions.

Scottish access rights apply, for example, to hills and moors, woodland, beaches and the coast, rivers and lochs, parks and some types of farmland. Areas where you cannot go include houses and gardens, other buildings and their yards or compounds and school grounds.

Access rights include things like walking, cycling, climbing, horse-riding, kayaking, swimming and watching wildlife, but do not include things like shooting, fishing or access with motor vehicles.

When visiting the outdoors, you must behave responsibly, and the Code explains what this means. The main responsibilities can be summarised as -

• Take responsibility for your own actions – eg. care for your own safety, keep alert for hazards, take special care with children.
• Respect people's privacy and peace of mind - eg. do not act in ways that might annoy or alarm people, especially at night.
• Help land managers and others to work safely and effectively  - eg keep clear of land management operations like harvesting or tree-felling, avoid damaging crops, leave gates as you find them.
• Care for your environment  - eg. don't disturb wildlife, take your litter away with you.
• Keep your dog under proper control - dogs are popular companions, but take special care if near livestock, or during the bird breeding season, and always pick up after your dog.
• Take extra care if you are organising an event or running a business - eg talk to the managers of any land which you may plan to use intensively or regularly.

More information can be found at NatureScot (outdooraccess-scotland.scot) or at Outdoor Access and Core Paths – Shetland Islands Council