The Most Interesting About Scotland – Part 3

(Note: you can enhance your enjoyment of this post if you first watch the music video “Roam” by The B52’s).

OK. So after roaming around in my tartan through the thistles on my unicorn (see Part 1 and Part 2 of this series), I’m finally focused enough to reveal what – to me – is perhaps the most interesting thing about Scotland.

Ironically, it’s just that very thing – roaming. As in being free to roam. Anywhere. Anytime. Anywhere you want to go. Just roam.

Wanna stroll along the beaches & coastlines? Drop your car and start strolling.

Wanna explore that distant castle down by the loch? Just mosy on down there.

Wanna summit one of the 282 munros (mountains) in Scotland? Just start hiking. No path or trail needed.

Wanna walk through golden fields of rapeseed? Open the gate and enjoy your afternoon.

No permissions. No permits. No problem.

You are free to roam. Legally. Pretty much anywhere.

How is this possible?

In 2003, the Scottish Parliament passed the Land Reform Act. I first heard about the Act from an excessively friendly and helpful farm shop operator at the Peel Farm Store in Alyth (pictured here).

While enjoying a latte and waiting for our freshly baked fruit scones to come out of the oven, we jumped into a a fascinating conversation about all things Scottish. It was here where we learned that we basically have full & unimpeded access to anywhere in Scotland we want to go. This was fascinating to me.

To me, coming from a state where you now have to stay on the trails and get a permit to do much of anything, it was SO refreshing to see how Scotland has developed its recent approach to land access. It’s commonly referred as the “Freedom to Roam Act,” and I dug into it when we got back home. Check out Freedom to Roam in Scotland: Everything You Need to Know to get a brief review of how it all works. Here’s a summary from the post:

When Scottish legislation on public ‘freedom to roam’ changed in 2003, it marked the moment that the hills, valleys, moors and waters of Scotland became open to anyone who wanted to explore them. Made for purposes of both recreation and education, as well as to give the public rights to make overland journeys, the Act was at once a nod to ancient traditions and an outlook to the future….

Most land in Scotland is owned by very few people, so the Scottish Access Rights basically give you the right to access that land in Scotland for recreational and educational purposes, be it cycling, running, walking or pitching a tent. There are only a few exclusions, like the curtilage of buildings and farmyards, quarries, railway property and airfields. There are three key principles that are very important to mention: You have to respect the interests of other people, care for the environment and take responsibility for your own actions.

Markus Stitz

This last bit about respect, care and responsibility is administered via an Access Code which establishes the basic guidelines that allow everyone to play nicely together (things like the basic principles found in the “Leave No Trace” code familiar to us in the US). Stuff like where to take a poo, be sure to close the gate, don’t set up a tent directly on top of a farmer’s crops, avoid the field with the bull in it – this is the type of common sense stuff contained in the guide.

Obviously, the European mindset is markedly different than the US mindset on a good many things. Not trying to get into any sort of political debate. Just saying that there is often more than one way to do things. And I am kinda enamored with a land where “No Trespassing” signs are nowhere to be found.

So go. Explore. Scotland is a hauntingly fascinating place. And you’ll have no boundaries if you want to wander off into some remote moor, peat bog or munro.

To me, this is one of the most interesting things about Scotland. A law. Thanks for listening. Enjoy the journey.

This is the final post in this series. Unless I think of something else.