Scotland's outdoors, extending from the parks and open spaces in our towns to the remote and wild areas of land and water in the Southern Upland, provide great opportunities for recreation and education.

The Countryside Access Service provides advice and support to land managers, recreational user groups, communities and the public on a wide range of outdoor access issues from:

Access Rights

The Outdoor Access Service is responsible for implementing statutory access rights to most land and inland water. People only have these rights if they exercise them responsibly. There are a number of key principles for access rights:

• Respect the interests of other people act with courtesy, consideration and awareness.
• Care for the environment look after the places you visit and enjoy, leave the land as you find it.
• Take responsibility for your own actions the outdoors cannot be made risk-free, you must take care at all times for your safety and that of others.

You can find detailed guidance on your responsibilities when exercising access rights or managing land and water on the Outdoor Access Scotland website which includes the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

If you have a question regarding access rights in your area please contact us below.

The Dumfries & Galloway Council outdoor access strategy provides a vision for outdoor access and the strategic framework for planning, managing and developing access in Dumfries & Galloway.

Core Path Planning

The Dumfries & Galloway Core Paths Plan is currently being assessed by The Scottish Government. Over the next few years your Council will be working in partnership with land managers and communities  to bring these paths up to a reasonable standard. You can find a map showing proposed core paths in Dumfries and Galloway by using the .

Path Development Projects

The Outdoor Access Service implement many path development projects. If you would like to find out about our current plans or would like help developing a path please contact us below.

Rights of Way

Rights of Way continue to play an important role in Outdoor Access management in Scotland. The Outdoor Access Service is responsible for investigating alleged Rights Of Way and any obstruction or closure of an alleged Right of Way.