Key messages from the Scottish Outdoor Access Code are...
When you're in the outdoors :
• Take responsibility for your own actions.
• Respect people's privacy and peace of mind.
• Help land managers to work safely and effectively.
• Care for your environment.
• Keep your dog under proper control.
• Take extra care if you're organising an event or running a business.
In relation to canoeing, rafting, rowing and sailing...
Part 5 of the Code advises recreational users…
Make sure that the river, loch or reservoir is appropriate for your activity and the numbers involved take care not to interfere unreasonably with other interests and avoid going close to water intakes, abstraction points or spillways.
On some water bodies that are intensively used for a wide range of activities, various management measures, such as zoning and byelaws, may be needed for safety or water quality reasons and to protect the environment.
Follow any agreed guidance provided.
Respect the needs of anglers by avoiding nets or other fishing tackle.
When close to anglers keep noise and other disturbance to a minimum.
On lochs, keep a safe distance from anglers.
On rivers or other confined waters, await a signal from the angler or ghillie to proceed if they have a line in the water and follow any suggested route they indicate if safe and practicable to do so.
Take extra care when entering and leaving water to avoid damaging the banks or disturbing wildlife, and use a public slipway if one is close by.
Do not pollute the water. If you wish to canoe or sail on a loch or reservoir used intensively by a commercial fishery, be aware that this can be very disruptive, may raise safety issues because of the high number of anglers in a relatively small area and may impact on the operation of these businesses.
Always talk to the land manager before going onto such water.
In relation to wild camping...
Part 5 of the Code advises recreational users…
Access rights extend to wild camping. This type of camping is lightweight, done in small numbers and only for two or three nights in any one place. You can camp in this way wherever access rights apply but help to avoid causing problems for local people and land managers by not camping in enclosed fields of crops or farm animals and keep away from buildings, roads or historic structures.
Take extra care to avoid disturbing deer stalking or grouse shooting. If you wish to camp close to a house or building, seek the owner's permission.
Leave no trace by :
• Taking away all your litter
• Removing all traces of your tent pitch and of any open fire (follow the guidance for lighting fires)
• Not causing any pollution.