Information and Advisory Note Number 148                     Back to menu

NATURAL HERITAGE TRENDS Access and recreation: path networks

1. Introduction

1.1 In many areas of Scotland, particularly the lowlands, there is a lack of well-constructed, sign-posted path networks.

1.2 15,000 km of Rights of Way (RoW) are recorded. However, 76% are only claimed¹, and just 1% have been vindicated² (Scottish Rights of Way Society, 2000). Claimed routes may have limited legal security. The density of RoW in Scotland (0.19 km per km²) is very low compared to England (2 km per km²).

1.3 For more than half the length of RoW (59%), it was not possible to establish a user category. The commonest category was pedestrian (36%) (Figure 1), and only 5% of the total length of RoW is categorised as having access for cyclists, horse-riders or vehicles.



Figure 1. User categories of Rights of Way. Source: Scottish Rights of Way Society (2000)

1.4 Amongst those who walk for leisure purposes, the most frequent concern (52%) is knowing where they can go (System Three Scotland, 1996). However, walking remains the most popular outdoor activity, with about a quarter of adults taking a walk for leisure purposes every month (MacGregor & Martin, 1999).

2. Trends

2.1 The Paths for All initiative was launched in 1996 in response to the shortage of signed paths which the public can confidently use.

2.2 The aim is that "within the next decade, communities throughout Scotland should have networks of local paths for the enjoyment of local people and visitors" (Currie, 2000). This will be achieved through partnerships between local authorities, landowners, communities, user groups and agencies.

2.3 The success of the initiative relies on access strategies, which set out the requirements of each area, and access officers, who initiate and facilitate work on the ground.

2.4 By May 2000, access officers had been employed by 14 of Scotland's 32 Local Authorities and access strategies had been, or were being, prepared by 16. A further three were carrying out feasibility studies.

2.5 144 path networks are being considered or developed (of which eight have been completed), and work is being undertaken with a view to initiating at least another 43.

3. Case Study: Mortonhall

3.1 Mortonhall is a small private estate on the south side of Edinburgh. Until recently, access has been tolerated, but without defined paths, and many people were uncertain where they were allowed to walk.

3.2 Work with local people by the landowner and the Paths for All Partnership identified the routes that people wanted to use. A mixture of public funding and the estate's own money was used to develop the path network.

3.3 The result is 8.5 km of local paths. Two-thirds of the paths are shared use, between walkers, horse-riders and/or cyclists.

3.4 The paths are very popular. Automatic people-counters revealed a nine-fold increase in the use of one path and, in summer 1999, another path had over 5,000 visitors per month.

3.5 The landowner has found that the paths have improved the management of the estate. They now know where to expect people and can plan accordingly. Self-closing gates eliminate the risk of stock escaping; 1999 was the first year sheep were not let out.

3.6 For the landowner the only significant problem remaining is that of dogs let loose in fields with stock. Problems are no worse than before but, due to a few individuals, they have not ceased.

4. The future

4.1 SNH's target is for 60 networks, comprising 3,092 km of path, to be completed by 2003. In order to accomplish this it aims to have 25 access officers in post and 29 access strategies completed.

5. Sources

5.1 Information on Paths for All's achievements was provided by SNH's Recreation and Access Group and by the Paths for All Partnership.

6. References

Currie, M. (2000). Paths For All, Submission for Funding Approval 2000 to 2003 (Internal report).

MacGregor, C. & Martin, I. (1999). Sports Participation in Scotland 1998. Edinburgh: sportscotland.

Scottish Rights of Way Society (2000). Mapping and Recording the Rights of Way of Scotland Project. Scottish Natural Heritage Research Survey and Monitoring Report No. 130. Perth: Scottish Natural Heritage.

System Three Scotland (1996). A Survey of Walking in the Countryside in Scotland. Scottish Natural Heritage Research Survey and Monitoring Report No. 11. Perth: Scottish Natural Heritage.

7. Further Information

Further detailed information on Natural Heritage Trends: Access and Recreation can be found in Information & Advisory Note No. 142.

8. Contact

To obtain further information about any of the issues raised in this l&A Note, please contact

Ms Jeanette Hall (Author) or Mr Ed Mackey
Environmental Audit Group
Chief Scientist's Unit
Scottish Natural Heritage
2 Anderson Place
EDINBURGH EH6 5NP
Tel: 0131-446 2457
Fax: 0131-446 2405
E-mail: jeanette.hall@snh.gov.uk

Notes
¹ Considered to meet the conditions for RoW but not tested by law, agreed by the landowner or asserted by the Local Authority.
² Declared RoW by the courts, and with evidence of continued usage (if necessary).


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