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Community & participation

Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003

Overview

Organisation:
Scottish Government

Media type:
Legislation

Topic:
Community & participation

Setting:
Community, Individuals, Town centres / Urban, Leisure & recreation / tourism, Countryside / Rural

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The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 establishes statutory public rights of access to land.
Rights of access to most land and inland water. Based on responsible access, guidance is set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Key statistics

21,602km
of core paths across Scotland in 2016 (SNH 2018)
20,000km
of estimated actual core paths across Scotland in 2017 (Ramblers 2017)
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 is an Act of the Scottish Parliament which establishes statutory public rights of access to land and makes provisions under which bodies representing rural and crofting communities may buy land. Part 1 of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 establishes statutory public rights of access to most land and inland water. Based on responsible access, guidance is set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Duties for Local Authorities and National Park Authorities include developing a Core Path Plan, keeping routes free from obstruction, and establishing a local access forum.
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