Hill Walking | Munros and Corbetts | Access, Conservation and Minimal Impact

Access, Conservation and Minimal Impact

- Access Law and Scottish Outdoor Access Code
- Hillphones
- Minimal Impact
- MCofS Minimal Impact Mountaineering Advice (MIMA)

Access Law and Scottish Outdoor Access Code

The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 translates into statute what people commonly regard the 'right to roam'. The Act is supported by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC) which states the rights and responsibilities of people using the land for recreational purposes and those of land managers.

Walkers and climbers have the right of access to most land and inland water including mountains, moorland, woods, forests, fields, rivers and lochs; day and night, providing that the individual does so responsibly. There is also a requirement for local authorities to uphold access rights. Rights and responsibilities of recreational land users and land managers can be found at www.mcofs.org.uk/know-the-code.asp.

The Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004 strengthens the legal protection for threatened species of birds, animals and plants throughout the year.

Especially sensitive times are:

Red deer stalking season. 1st July to 20th October (see Hillphones section below)
Lambing. April to late May. During the lambing period dogs must be kept under close control or on lead whenever near sheep.
Grouse shooting. 12th August to 10th December. Occurs in specific areas and gamekeepers should be able to provide alternative routes up hills to avoid a conflict of interests.
Nesting birds. 1st March to 31st July. Ground nesting birds are particularly sensitive to disturbance by walkers, climbers and dogs during this period.

Hillphones

The Hillphones scheme aims to provide information for hill walkers about stag stalking activities and enables walkers to find out where stalking is taking place. The scheme currently covers 12 areas within the Highlands and Islands.

The scheme operates between 1st July and 20th October and provides recorded messages about where stalking is taking place and may suggest preferred or alternative access routes to avoid stalking activities.

The scheme is currently only available as a telephone system but a web based system is under development.

Further information is available at www.snh.org.uk/hillphones.

Minimal Impact

Most walkers and climbers have an appreciation of the landscape and wildlife of Scotland's mountains and unconsciously act in a responsible manner whilst in the hills. However, sometimes the impact of their actions is not immediately obvious, but only become so through the accumulation of the effects. It is vital that we minimise our impact, especially above 600m, where vegetation may never naturally recover from the damage.

Everyone going into the mountains can reduce their impact and help to repair the damage caused by:

exercising route planning skills and using routes not in guidebooks
avoiding repeated use of scree slopes by using alternative routes
walk within the boundaries of erosion scars to avoid spreading the erosion
follow zig-zag routes/paths and avoid cutting corners to prevent the creation of water erosion channels
use the lightest footwear available for route safety
clear stones from drainage channels as they cross paths
use public transport or bicycles wherever possible
use designated parking areas and do not block gates or access tracks
carry out everything that you carry in
do not bury food scraps or leave fruit peel on the hill
'go' to the toilet in a hygienic and environmentally sensitive way, at least 30 metres away from watercourses, 50 metres away from paths and 200 metres away from huts, bothies or crags and carry out solids. Further details: www.mcofs.org.uk/assets/access/where-to-go-leaflet.asp.pdf
avoid disturbing nesting birds
dogs should not be taken into fields where there are young animals or crops unless on a clear path
keep dogs under close control or on a lead during the bird nesting season (February to July) and during the lambing season
permanent features such as memorials should not be built in the mountain environment
do not build cairns as they may exacerbate erosion or cause navigational confusion
gates should be left as you find them and try to find gates or stiles to avoid damaging walls and fences
volunteer for path repair projects

For further detailed advice: www.mcofs.org.uk/advice-and-policies.asp.

MCofS Minimal Impact Mountaineering Advice (MIMA)

The MCofS has produced an advisory booklet titled Minimal Impact Mountaineering Advice, which is available in hard copy from our office or on the MCofS website. MIMA contains the following chapters: 1. Erosion Minimisation; 2. Transport; 3. Supporting the Local Economy; 4. Litter; 5. Where to 'Go' in the Great Outdoors; 6. Nesting Birds; 7. Dogs; 8. Human Artefacts; 9. Camping; 10. Rock climbing; 11. Winter; 12. England and Wales; 13. Ireland; 14. International; 15. Further Information.