Survey reveals collapse in funding for paths and outdoor access

But a new report from Ramblers Scotland shows these rights are being hollowed out by a combination of underfunding and a lack of staff to handle soaring complaints about blocked trails, broken bridges and irresponsible access.  

The charity’s survey of frontline staff at 32 councils and two national parks found:

• Seven authorities have no Access Officers to uphold the Scottish Outdoor Access Code 
• Most are reluctant to use legal powers to protect the public’s access rights 
• An all-time low of just 33 full-time equivalent Access Officers, half the number employed when the ‘Right to Roam' went live 20 years ago.
• Several authorities are failing to host Local Access Forums, statutory bodies that enable diverse voices, from landowners to walkers, to work together to find solutions. 

Brendan Paddy, director of Ramblers Scotland, said: “Today’s shocking results show that we’ve got world-class outdoor access rights, but third-rate funding.  

“Frontline staff are sounding the alarm that the system is breaking down, as we lack the people to fix access problems and too many paths are now inaccessible, unsafe or simply no longer exist. 

“Years of chronic underfunding mean the need for investment in paths has never been greater, especially in less well-off areas. Relatively small sums will deliver big benefits for people’s health and happiness. 

“Scotland’s international reputation as a pioneer of outdoor access is in danger of becoming a hollow boast, unless politicians act.” 

The Land Reform Act 2003 is seen as one of the stand-out achievements of Scotland’s devolved parliament, with more people now enjoying Scotland’s countryside than ever before.  

However, research shows that people in less well-off areas have far fewer local paths than wealthier counterparts. And investment in recreational paths is at a low ebb due to funding pots closing, a failure to adjust for inflation, and councils diverting access money to unrelated budgets. 

This leads to on-the-ground problems for walkers. For example, there is increasing neglect of legally-protected Core Paths; a defined 15,000-mile network of many of Scotland’s most important trails.  

Photos from Mountaineering Scotland and Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland's path repair campaign, It's Up To Us.

Meanwhile, there is now no dedicated budget for Scotland’s four National Trails - the West Highland Way, Speyside Way, Great Glen Way and Southern Upland Way. These cover a total of 500 miles and are walked millions of times each year.  

Ahead of May’s election, Mountaineering Scotland and other members of SORA are campaigning for a new £50million Scottish Paths Fund during the next 5-year Holyrood parliament. 

Mr Paddy added: “When paths crumble, gates get locked and disputes go unresolved, it’s not the law that’s failing, it’s political will. With elections on the horizon, this is the moment to recommit to access to nature being a right, not an optional extra. 

“That's why we need a £50 million Scottish Paths Fund: to turn world-class access rights on paper into a reality on the ground.”  

The research was assisted by the Scottish Outdoor Access Network (SOAN), which links more than 200 access employees.