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

So far:
A change in access legislation has been a long held ambition for the MCofS, and we gladly participated in the Access Forum which drew up recommendations to Government on new legislation.

On 22nd February 2001 the Scottish Executive published "A Draft Scottish Outdoor Access Code" and the "Draft Land Reform (Scotland) Bill - Consultation Paper". There are three parts to the legislation as proposed. the first concerns access rights, the other two are concerned with community right to buy land provisions.

The consultation period on these documents came to an end on 30th June, and over 3500 responses were made, over 80% relating soley to the access section. The responses have now been considered and the next step started on 28th November 2001 with the publication of 'The Land Reform (Scotland) Bill' which wasdebated by MSPs. A new draft of the Access Code was published on 19th December 2001.

In the Scottish Parliament the Justice 2 Committee led the consideration of the Bill at Stage 1, and we responded to their call for written evidence before the December 21st deadline. Further evidence was submitted on 22nd January. The Committee stage of the bill was completed with MSPs having supported its general principles. The second, amendment, stage has now also been completed and the amended draft of the bill published. The final debate in the full parliament was held on 22 and 23rd January 2003. The Bill passed on that day was given Royal Assent on February 25th and is now the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.

Attention now falls on the consultation on the Outdoor Access Code, which will be completed and passed before the new law comes into effect. The consultation period on the code ran until June 30th. The The Mountaineering Council of Scotland response can be found here.