Ramblers Scotland

We've written to congratulate John Swinney on his re-election as First Minister of Scotland.

We hope the next Scottish Government can turn the SNP's 3 key pledges on walking into a reality by:

🚶 Creating a Scottish Paths Fund
📒 Guiding access authorities on how to fulfil their responsibilities
🗺️ Calling on Ordnance Survey to show 27,000km of Core Paths on its maps

All 3 of these ideas featured in our joint manifesto, alongside partners Scottish Outdoor Recreation Alliance.

As our Director Brendan Paddy said in his letter to the FM: "You have always spoken passionately about your love of Scotland's outdoors.

"You have made clear that this passion is not just for you personally, but in recognition of the enormous health and economic benefits that access to our green and blue spaces delivers for our nation as a whole.

"In Ramblers Scotland we agree of course. That is why we have launched our Access Denied campaign because we believe that access to nature is a right, not a luxury.

"Although we are rightly proud of our world-leading ‘Right to Roam’ in Scotland, the daily reality for too many people, especially people from our least well-off communities, does not yet match our nation's ambition.

"I firmly believe there is an opportunity to make a swift and visible difference in a programme area that is easily recognisable to many people."

In the coming months and years, we'll keep speaking with politicians from all parties on how we can make Scotland a nation where everyone feels supported to walk.

Mountaineering Scotland ScotWays Paddle Scotland British Horse Society Cycling UK

📢 We've just learned that Planning Inspectors want Ministers to BLOCK the controversial Coul Links golf plans!

The results of a new Freedom of Information request show that - following a Public Inquiry in 2024 - the Planning Inspectors have advised Ministers to refuse the application for an 18-hole course.

We've long campaigned to from this development, as it would harm access and the experience of walking at these globally-protected dunes near Embo in the Highlands. Up to 7 holes would cross the John o’ Groats Trail.

There are some ongoing discussions over how the applicant can show how it would protect the area’s special ‘Ramsar’ ecological status.

Then, it's over to Scottish Government Ministers for a final decision. 🤞