What are core paths?
The Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 provides statutory outdoor access rights and responsibilities for everyone, including specific obligations for land managers and local authorities. The Act gives the public a clear right of responsible non-motorised access to most land and inland water in Scotland for walking, cycling, horse-riding, undertaking water based activities such as canoeing and other recreational pursuits. This right extends from most parks and open spaces in towns to more remote areas of the countryside. Although the Act allows a right of responsible access to most land and inland water, the majority of people prefer to use defined paths. Core paths are defined as paths or routes, including waterways, which will assist the public exercising their access rights under the Act. They can be existing rights of way, managed routes, new routes or any other route that can provide the public with reasonable access. Core paths should be fit for purpose therefore the Core Paths syste
It is expected that core paths will have many different characteristics and will encompass a range of path types and surfaces, which can include: • natural grass and beaten earth paths through fields, woods, along river banks etc; • surfaced paths and tracks, towpaths etc. • waterways with launching points; and • quiet minor public roads and pavements. The core paths will consist of both existing and new paths and when implemented these routes will form a cohesive path network. Existing paths which may be included within the Core Paths Plan include: • public rights of way by foot, horse, bicycle or any combination of those; • paths, footways, footpaths, cycle tracks; • paths which are or maybe delineated by a Path Agreement or a Path Order; and • other appropriate routes or waterways by which a person may cross land. The core path network may include public rights of way but there is no presumption that all current public rights of way will become core paths. The core path network will
