The Country Code

Keep Your Dogs Under Close Control

Always keep your dog on a lead when walking on roads or when close to farm animals. Do not enter fields with young calves in, as the mothers can be fiercely protective and could be dangerous. Do not take dogs into fields with sheep near to lambing time (March – May) or with young lambs in, to prevent disturbing them. At other times always keep your dog under close control so as not to disturb wildlife, or annoy or alarm other visitors. Dispose of dog dirt.

Keep To Paths Across Farmland

Avoid damage to growing crops by walking around the edge of fields or by keeping to an existing path across it. Respect any farm notices.

Leave Gates As You Find Them

If you find a gate closed, always make sure that you leave it closed, to avoid farm animals straying. Farmers sometimes leave gates open to allow their animals to graze in the next field or to get water, so help a farmer by leaving gates as you find them. If in doubt, close a gate.

Take Special Care on Country Roads

Always drive with care and reduced speed on country roads. Park your car with consideration to others needs, especially to avoid blocking gateways or other drivers sight-lines. Walkers, particularly large groups, should take care on country roads.

Guard Against All Risk of Fire

Accidental fire is a great fear of farmers and foresters. Be careful to put out all used cigarettes and matches, and cook by stove rather than fire. Be very careful during dry periods ( especially in April when there is a lot of dead vegetation). Never throw a cigarette out of a car window.

Protect Wildlife, Plants And Trees

Leave all natural places as you find them. Never uproot plants as they’ll be gone forever. If you come across wildlife, keep your distance and don’t watch for too long in cast you cause disturbance and stress, especially if adults are with their young and in winter , when food may be scarce or weather harsh.

Fences, Hedges And Walls

Damage to a fence, wall or hedge can allow animals to get out, so help the farmer by using gates and stiles. If you must climb a gate because it is difficult to open, always do this at the hinged end.

Help Keep All Water Clean

Not everyone living in the countryside is on a public water supply, so take care with your personal hygiene to avoid causing pollution. Farm animals need clean water too, so don’t interfere with water troughs provided for livestock.

Leave Livestock, Crops And Machinery Alone

Crops, animals and machinery are all of high value. Help the farmer, and care for your own safety too by not interfering with any equipment or animals – and don’t let others do so.

Take Your Litter Home

Broken glass, tins and plastic bags can be dangerous to people, farm animals, and wildlife can also be trapped and die. All litter is unsightly so always take yours, and any that you may come across, home with you to dispose of properly. Biosecurity This means taking measures to ensure that good hygiene and cleanliness practices are in place to prevent the spread of animal diseases. To this end, if you are walking on farmland, ensure you thoroughly clean footwear and walking sticks before and after, to ensure you don’t pass disease from one farm to another.

RESPONSIBILITIES OF RECREATION USERS

The outoors is home to Scotland’s diverse wildlife. It’s where land managers make a living and is also enjoyed by the many people who live there and visit it. When in the country act responsibly:

Take responsibility for your own actions;
Respect people’s privacy;
Help land managers and others to work safely and effectively by not hindering operations and following advice from land managers;
Log on to www.outdooraccess-scotland.com for further information on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code