Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003

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The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 is an Act of the Scottish Parliament. It created a framework for responsible access to land and inland water, formalising the tradition in Scotland of unhindered access to open countryside, provided that care was taken not to cause damage or interfere with activities including farming and game stalking. Similar legislation was passed for England and Wales with the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

The Act follows the distinctive approach set out in the Outdoor Access Code, specifying the rights and responsibilities of land managers, countryside users and recreational managers. It also introduced rights for rural and crofting communities to buy land in their area, and ended the historic legacy of feudal law in Scots law.

[edit] Criticism

A number of national governments (including the United Kingdom) have expressed concern within their Biodiversity Action Plans regarding the potential damage that can occur from unlimited access rights to many habitats. An example applicable to Scotland is the Portlethen Moss in Aberdeenshire.