Advice on Becoming an Access Officer in Scotland ?? Qualifications ??

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treacle86

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I am interested in becoming an Access Officer as I feel quite strongly about Horses, Dogs, walkers etc having Access to our countryside and knowing our rights and responsibilities .

Just wondered If anyone is an Access Officer and any advice re getting into this type of role ?

What Courses , Qualifications would I need ??
Where to get them , preferably part time / online courses etc ???

Many Thanks

xxx
 
I do wish that you would become an Access Officer in Midlothian then, because it lacks one and the officer responsible does it as a tiny part of his job and misunderstands the legislation (e.g. he thinks there needs to be a right of way to create a right of access!).

I don't think there are any specific qualficiations. You might like to browse a few council websites and see which departments are responsible for it and whether they have dedicated officers. I know Perth and Kinross Council is particularly leading in this area. You can also browse the quite sparse case law online, such as the Euan Snowie case. A knowledge of the local geography and an ability to read maps would also be useful I think.
 
As a member of a LAF and a volunteer and a ROW worker for many years I hope you take on this role. Remember Council Employees have managers who tell them what policies they want supporting and where the ROW Manager is told to keep away from ,areas that may be of much concern to riders. Liase with other groups particularly the Ramblers as they have much knowledge of landowners who are helpful and those that are not. The RA has also great support from their Head Office and a former member writes the definative work on ROW called the Blue Book. I attend by invitation monthly meetings of my local RA policy group where all the changes to ROW are discussed in detail and I think that there is not such good network within the BHS structure. Do not be put off by the legal jargon as we all have to start somewhere
 
Just because its interesting, I'd like to point out that in Scotland there is now a "right to roam" for all pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders. The general rule in the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives a right of responsible access over all land, unless exempted (e.g. growing crops, 90 day rule (charges for entry more than 90 days in a year), too near a house, etc..

This might sound onerous but bear in mind in Scotland there are few public bridleways and paths. Traditionally there has always been a tacit right of responsible access which has a basis in Roman law - I was always taught as a child no-one would object to you if you passed across their land, keeping to field boundaries.
 
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