Lyle Brotherton

Navigation expert Lyle is one of the world’s leading authorities on search and rescue.

QUESTION Why are there so few public rights of way marked on Scottish maps? Daniel Gant, Driffield, East Yorkshire ANSWER

The rights of way in England and Wales, detailed on OS maps, are compiled from Definitive Maps, which are legal documents that, by law, must be produced and kept up to date by every county council or unitary authority in England and Wales (except the inner London boroughs).

Different legislation applies in Scotland: there is no legally recognised record of rights of way and therefore no Definitive Maps for OS to use. This doesn’t mean that there are not rights of way, because there are. You can find details of these in the National Catalogue of Rights of Way which has been compiled by the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society (ScotWays), in partnership with Scottish Natural Heritage and with the co-operation of local authorities.

Today, though, including these paths on OS maps is unnecessary thanks to a revolutionary piece of legislation. In 2003 the Scottish Government’s Land Reform Act (Part 1) included in the hugely important ‘Right to Roam’. This right guaranteed non-motorised access for recreational and other purposes to land and inland water throughout Scotland, with few exceptions. They are the best access rights for in the world and make specific rights of way much less relevant for hillwalkers and mountaineers in Scotland.