The Government recognises that most land and water is privately-owned and is a place of work, from which many people earn their living and in which the welfare of livestock and wildlife is important. The right of access, therefore, must be exercised responsibly so that it is integrated with farming, forestry, field sports, conservation and recreation. It is also vital that people's reasonable expectations of privacy are respected and that the quality of our environment is safeguarded. Land managers will have an obligation to permit people to enjoy this right of responsible access. They can also help to facilitate access where this is compatible with their work.
Public bodies have a key role to play in making the right of access work to everyone's satisfaction.
Adequate resources will be essential for ensuring that the whole package of proposals is implemented. Balancing these rights and responsibilities is a challenge for all concerned and will demand sustained effort supported by information, promotion and education. The present draft Scottish Outdoor Access Code , which has been prepared by the Access Forum and Scottish Natural Heritage, is intended to provide the reference point for responsible behaviour under the new legislation. It is a detailed document which indicates how the right of access is expected to operate in most situations. It is also the starting point for the much shorter codes which, at a later stage, will be needed for general public use and for specific interest groups.