Country Code Of Island Life
Iona is very much a working landscape, and though you may feel that you are far away from the maddening crowd and the cares of modern life, you must also remember that you are walking over someone's land and a variety of animal's homes. The farmers and crofters on the Iona very much respect your rights of access over the island and certainly hope that you enjoy the landscape, wildlife and livestock. Most have worked the island for generations, and are well used to people exploring all the nooks and crannies the island has to offer. They only ask that you respect what you find and help us preserve and protect the island, its environment, and its working traditions for future visitors and residents to enjoy.
The following is taken from Scottish Natural Heritage's Country Code and applies to all rural locations in Scotland.
Know Your Access Rights.
Access rights cover many activities, including for example:
• informal activities, such as picnicking, photography and sightseeing;
• active pursuits, including walking, cycling, riding, canoeing and wild camping;
• taking part in recreational and educational events;
• simply going from one place to another.
These access rights don't apply to any kind of motorised activity (unless for disabled access) or to hunting, shooting or fishing.
Access rights can be exercised over most of Scotland, from urban parks and path networks to our hills and forests, and from farmland and field margins to our beaches, lochs and rivers. However, access rights don't apply everywhere, such as in buildings or their immediate surroundings, or in houses or their gardens, or most land in which crops are growing.
Know The Code.
Access rights come with responsibilities which are fully explained in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, though the main thing is to use common sense. You need to take responsibility for your own actions, respect the interests of others and care for the environment - what does all this mean?
When you're in the outdoors, you need to:
• Take responsibility for you own actions - The outdoors is a great place to enjoy but it's also a working environment and has many natural hazards. Make sure you are aware of these and act safely, follow any reasonable advice and respect the needs of other people enjoying or working in the outdoors.
• Respect people's privacy and peace of mind - Privacy is important for everyone. Avoid causing alarm to people, especially at night, by keeping a reasonable distance from houses and private gardens, or by using paths or tracks.
• Help farmers, landowners and others to work safely and
effectively - Keep a safe distance from any work and watch
for signs that tell you dangerous activities are being carried
out, You can also help by:
- leaving gates as you find them;
- not blocking or obstructing an entrance or track;
- looking for alternative routes before entering a field with animals;
- not feeding animals;
- not damaging fences or walls; and by
- avoiding damage to crops by using paths and tracks, by using the margins of the field, or by going over ground that hasn't been planted.
• Care for the environment - Our environment contributes greatly to everyone's quality of life and health. It's important that you:
- follow any reasonable advice and information;
- take your litter home;
- treat places with care, leaving them as you find them;
- don't recklessly disturb or intentionally damage wildlife or historic places.
• Keep your dog under proper control - If you have a dog with you, it's very important that it doesn't worry livestock or alarm others. Don't let it into fields with calves or lambs, and keep it on a short lead or under close control when you're in a field with other animals. If cattle react aggressively to your dog, let go of it immediately and take the safest route out of the field. Take care to ensure that you or your dog don't disturb breeding birds. Pick up your dog's faeces if it defecates in any place where it is likely to cause concern to other people.
• Take extra care if you are organising a group, an event or running a business - Consult the full Code on the Scottish Natural Heritage website for information about your responsibilities.
