The arguments in favour of a modern access system go far beyond the economic considerations though. There are the health benefits to a nation that takes regular exercise and the human rights issue of an individual's right to be somewhere if they are not causing damage. Scottish Executive Ministers have accepted that this draft is not the finished article and that changes are needed. The Scottish Executive will be influenced by the volume and weight of representation received. It is vital therefore that clubs and individual mountaineers write to the Executive expressing opposition to the sections of this draft Bill that limit and diminish our rights of access, rather than enhancing and protecting them.
Individual letters are better than standardised or duplicated proformas.
The draft Bill also contains proposed legislation for a Community Right to Buy and Crofters' Right to Buy. The MCofS has grave concerns for the Community Right to Buy section in particular. Our views on this section are along the lines of those of The Land Programme of the Caledonia Centre for Social Development. This is a historic and vitally important consultation. Please make your views known.