Quite a long post on Outdoor Access during COVID19, including information from the Scottish Government, NFUS and Aberdeenshire Council

During the present situation many more of us are walking and cycling around Oldmeldrum and out into the local countryside as we take our daily exercise. It’s worth remembering that it’s lambing time and bird nesting season. Spring sowing is going on and farmers are out in the fields and on local roads with large machinery.

The right of responsible outdoor access still applies and we should all be aware of our responsibilities when taking access in the countryside. Its a beautiful place we live in and a real privilege to be able walk, run and cycle here.

Exercising access rights responsibly means respecting the needs of other people, and we will need to adapt our behaviour accordingly in the national effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.

The countryside is both a place of work and a home for the rural community and there are understandable concerns for their safety and maintaining social distancing for themselves, their families and their workforce. There’s a lot going on including lambing, calving and sowing and while its great to witness all this please be aware of their situation and help to keep everyone safe. Keep your dog on a lead or under close control, Pick up your litter and avoid touching shared surfaces such as gates and stiles.

Ministerial statement on access rights during COVID-19

A statement by Scottish Ministers on what exercising rights of access responsibly under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 means during the COVID-19 emergency.
The Scottish Government’s introduction of a right of responsible access for all remains one of the most successful and popular  provisions passed by the Scottish Parliament. These rights continue to apply, and exercise remains important for people’s physical and mental wellbeing during the current crisis. The idea of responsibility in exercising access rights has, however, always been at the core of that policy, as set out in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
This statement sets out what that means in the context of the COVID-19 emergency. Further, more detailed guidance will be produced by Scottish Natural Heritage in consultation with key stakeholders.

  • The current outbreak of COVID-19 is an unprecedented national emergency and is a challenge for everyone. Staying at home has become the only way of slowing the spread of this virus and giving our NHS the chance to cope and save lives.
  • Under current guidance, it is only permitted to leave your home for specific reasons, including to take exercise, alone or with other members of your household, and no more than once a day.
  • Essential workers, including farmers who are helping to maintain the nation’s food supply and have important animal welfare responsibilities, must be allowed to go about their business without interference or fear of unnecessary exposure to COVID-19
  • It is a requirement of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code that we all behave in a responsible way that is considerate of other people. This means that, during the current emergency, everyone should:
    • Stay local – please do not travel in your car to take exercise; please make use of the paths, open spaces and quiet roads in your own local area
    • Maintain your distance – please stay at least 2 metres away from other people and if possible try to avoid busy times on popular paths or places
    • Respect the health and safety of farmers and others working the land – please follow all reasonable requests and signs to avoid particular areas, such as farmyards, fields with pregnant or young livestock, and other busy working areas
    • Keep your dog under control – please put them on a lead or keep them close at heel and do not let them approach other people or livestock
    • Avoid contact – try to avoid touching surfaces and if possible plan a route that does not require you to open gates
  • The Scottish Outdoor Access Code requires that people walking dogs act responsibly, take notice of any signs, and prevent their dogs from scaring or attacking any livestock.
  • Farmers and other land managers are entitled, and indeed encouraged, to put up signs when they have pregnant or young livestock in a field.
  • If threatened by cattle, release your dog and take the shortest route out of the field. As always pick up and remove all waste. 

This is a temporary situation and it is more important now than ever to maintain good relationships between neighbours and within communities. This is not about restricting the general right of responsible non-motorised access to land but it is part of the wider approach to prevent COVID-19 deaths and preserving the nation’s food supplies.
Exercising access rights responsibly means respecting the needs of other people, and you will need to adapt your behaviour accordingly in the national effort to contain the spread of COVID-19.
Land managers should respect access rights, which are particularly important at this difficult time. If necessary, use helpful signs to highlight issues to users and suggest reasonable alternative routes. 

National Farmer’s Union (Scotland)

NFUS (National Farmer’s Union (Scotland) advice to farmers during COVID19 includes the following …

The public are walking through my livestock, what are my rights?
Land being grazed by livestock is generally not excluded from responsible access rights. Farmers are free to use signage to help inform the public about the presence of animals. Access with dogs should not be taken in fields with young livestock. An alternative route should be signposted where possible.
I am on an urban fringe and I am experiencing access problems and unprecedented levels of irresponsible access, what should I do?
If you are experiencing issues you should consider using signage. You should also contact your local authority access officer to inform them.

Coronavirus Guidelines – https://www.nfus.org.uk/news/blog/coronavirus-guidelines-from-dr-john-locke-30-march-2020

Aberdeenshire Council – Paths and outdoor access

At the moment there are no restrictions to responsible outdoor access. Some key things to keep in mind:

  • Please comply with national guidance on social distancing and keep at least 2m apart from other path users and from occupants of properties adjacent to any paths
  • One outing for exercise per day – walk, run or cycle, alone or with members of your household
  • Stay local – don’t get in your car to drive to other areas
  • Always pick up your litter
  • It is lambing season and bird nesting season – please keep your dogs under strict control, the best way to do this is on a short lead, this also helps with social distancing
  • Remember to wash or sanitise your hands as soon as you get home

During the current restrictions, access officers are not undertaking site visits or face to face meetings. If you have an access issue you wish to report or require advice or information about outdoor access in Aberdeenshire please contact outdoor.access@aberdeenshire.gov.uk with as many details as possible and we will investigate.