Current progress

Scottish Outdoor Access Code
consultation period
Advice on responding
MCofS consultation response (pdf)
latest SOAC draft

Previous events

The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill
first impressions
MCofS evidence
Supplementary Evidence
Reaction to Committee Report
Parliament Now Fully Engaged in Access Debate
Threat to night time access
Confusion on Outdoor Education

Is Trespass Illegal in Scotland ?
Commercial Activities in the Hills?
Needs of the people, not just Skibo's guests
Access to Balmoral Estate secured

Passing of Bill welcomed
What happens now?
Royal Assent given to Act

Draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill -
Consultation Paper
MCofS response
Petition taken to Parliament
 

The draft bill, as published, differed greatly from the recommendations of the Access Forum, and received criticism from all sides. In our response, we highlighted many points which required to be changed in it, and even suggested that the whole draft should be scrapped, and a new attempt made within the next year.

In preparing our response to the proposals, the MCofS held a series of meetings around the country, where we listened to the views of our members and briefed them on how to make personal responses. In the end, over 3500 responses were made, over 80% relating soley to the access section.

The MCofS response to the consultation paper can be read here.

Other responses:

STB/visitscotland The Scottish Wild Land Group Scottish Environment LINK The Scottish Rights of Way & Access Society Scottish Natural Heritage Scottish Canoe Association The Ramblers Association The Scottish Landowners Federation

After the consultation period, Scottish Environment Link, SSA and SCAN organised a petition which totalled 15,000 signatures, and was delivered to the Scottish Parliament on 23rd October.
more....

The Draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill - Consultation Paper and A Draft Scottish Outdoor Access Code can still be read.

• The Access section of the bill in pdf format.

• The Access Code Document:
  www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/soac-00.asp
  The document in pdf format (270k)
  www.scotland.gov.uk/library3/environment/soac.pdf
• The draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill:
  www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/landreform/lrdb-00.asp
  The bill in pdf format (850k):
  www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations/landreform/lrdb.pdf
• Scottish Executive's Land Reform web site:
  www.scotland.gov.uk/landreform/