Countryside FAQs
- Can I go anywhere in the countryside?
In Scotland you can go to most land to enjoy the outdoors, with common sense exceptions such as houses and gardens, other buildings and their yards, school grounds and places which charge for entry, provided you access these areas responsibly and comply with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
- Do I have rights to go along a particular path or location?
Access rights can be exercised anytime of the day or night and extends to everyone for recreational purposes such as pastimes, family and social activities, and more active pursuits like horse riding, cycling, wild camping and taking part in events, educational purposes (concerned with furthering a person’s understanding of the natural and cultural heritage), some commercial purposes (where the activities are the same as those done by the general public) and for crossing over land or water. You only have access rights if you exercise them responsibly.
- Where can I go to enjoy the countryside in Moray?
There are many opportunities in Moray to enjoy the outdoors, click here to see opportunities for countryside and nature as well as many walking and cycling routes.
- How can I get a path issue resolved
Path issues can be resolved or more information can be made available to you by contacting morayaccess@moray.gov.uk
- What are Core Paths?
Core Paths are paths, waterways or any other means of crossing land to facilitate, promote and manage the exercise of access rights under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, and are identified as such in access authority core paths plan. Follow this link to Core Paths Plan Index of Maps.
- Where can I camp?
Wild camping is included in the access rights as long as you don’t cause problems for local people and land managers. This means acting responsibly by keeping away from buildings, roads and historic structures and by leaving no trace. If lighting a fire keep it small, under control and supervised at all times and remove all traces of an open fire before you leave.
- Can I take my dog near farm livestock?
To comply with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, dogs should be kept under control on a lead when near any form of livestock to prevent any kind of disturbance. Access rights do not extend to anyone responsibly for a dog which is not under proper control. Dogs should not be taken into fields where there as lambs, calves, or other young animals.
- Where can I find out more about my rights and responsibilities in the countryside?
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code is a comprehensive guide relating to public access to Scotland’s outdoors. It provides detailed guidance on the responsibilities for people exercising access rights and of those managing land and water. By doing so, the Code provides a practical guide to help everyone make informed decisions about what best to do in everyday situations, and provides the starting point for short promotional codes and more detailed advice.
- How often are country paths cut?
Remote footpaths are cut once per year from April to October. More information on grass cutting can be found here.