The Scotways Guide to the Law of Access to Land in Scotland

The Scottish landscape is justly famed for its beauty and diversity, and Scots law provides good opportunities for people to enjoy access to this land.

This book aims to provide a user-friendly guide to the law of access in Scotland. It explains how the law works to regulate access to Scotland’s outdoors, who might be entitled to access land or inland waters, and the activities people are entitled to do there. An understanding of the multilayered framework of the law is crucial to clarify the rights and responsibilities of users and landowners/occupiers, and to minimise and resolve conflict.

This book will be of particular value to access professionals and advisers but is also suitable for general readers who are broadly interested in the subject or are seeking an answer to a specific point. The Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society (‘ScotWays’) is a charitable body dedicated to providing information and assistance about responsible access to land. It commends this book to all who cherish our country.

Malcolm M. Combe is a solicitor and senior lecturer in law at the University of Aberdeen. In June 2013, he was appointed an adviser to the Land Reform Review Group, which reported in 2014. Since January 2017, he has been a Case and Comment editor of the legal journal the Juridical Review. He is also an External Adviser to the Scottish Government’s independent Deer Working Group and the General Editor of the Scottish Landlord and Tenant Legislation collection of statutory materials.