Countryside Access
Outdoor Access in the Scottish Borders
The Scottish Borders provides great opportunities for outdoor recreation including walking, cycling, horse-riding and water-sports activities, whilst providing resources to improve people’s health and contribute to the Scottish Borders economy. The Council’s Access and Countryside Team manage access to this outdoor resource.
Currently there are approximately 2000kms of Rights of Way, 500kms of Short routes, Long Distance Routes, such as the Southern Upland Way, John Buchan Way, St Cuthbert’s Way, Borders Abbeys Way, Buccleuch Country Ride (horse-riding), Tweed Cycleway, 4 Abbeys Cycle Route, Borderloop, as well as many Forest Enterprise (external website) sites including Glentress and Newcastleton and plenty of water courses for the water-sport enthusiasts.
Our staff undertake a variety duties under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 (external website) and the Countryside (Scotland) Act 1967. This Act has extended the Council’s powers. One of these changes is the requirement to create a Core Path Network for users of all abilities, whether on foot, bicycle or horseback. The Scottish Outdoor Access Code details your rights and responsibilities whilst accessing or managing the outdoors. We also carry out a variety of survey and maintenance work on many routes whilst providing financial assistance to Community Councils to look after their local paths.
We are working with Scottish Border Paths and local communities to develop local path networks and associated leaflets for their area. Longer distance paths are also being developed to help the tourist industry (external website) in the Borders. Information on some Outdoor Access Festivals & Events is also available.
Walking is described as the perfect exercise by health professionals, to gain the benefits of being more physically active. Our Walk-it Project is a partnership between Scottish Borders Council, Scottish Border Paths, Borders NHS and Paths to Health, which aims to encourage people to walk their way to a healthier lifestyle.
In April 2004 the Council adopted New Ways to Access: an outdoor access strategy for the Scottish Borders; this will form the strategic basis for its future development of Core Path Networks and other access in the region.
Contact our Access Team
Should you wish to contact our Access Team, please contact the relevant area based Access Officer responsible for your area. To see which Officer is responsible for your area, please open the Access Officer Areas Map
Scottish Borders Council
Planning & Economic Development
Council Headquarters
Newtown St Boswells
Melrose
TD6 0SA
Tel: 01835 825060
Fax: 01835 825158
Email: Access Team
Unified Solutions.