Kirkcudbright Canoe Club vows to uphold public right of access to land and waterways

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Kirkcudbright Canoe Club has vowed to uphold public rights of responsible access to land and waterways.The move follows recent examples of landowners attempting to charge people for launching canoes on local lochs.Now club chairman John Blaikie is urging outdoor lovers to stand their ground when challenged by landowners.Carrying a canoe across a field and having a picnic, he added, were perfectly permissible provided nothing was left behind.He said: “If you are challenged by a landowner my answer would be to quote the Land Reform Act.

You have a right to roam and a right of access.“Let them know that is the law and you have the right to do it. It’s verging on extortion telling people they have to pay money to paddle in a loch.”Mr Blackie, who is also a member of Dumfries and Galloway Access Forum, believes creeping infringements of public rights are becoming more common.He said: “This issue has affected our club in the past and we have had other instances of landowners in Dumfries and Galloway challenging people out walking.“As long as people are acting responsibly, landowners have no right to do that.“I’m on the access forum so I do know the access code.“There is not anything wrong in carrying a canoe or walking across a field.

You are abiding by the law.”The Scottish Canoe Association has also placed on record its belief that public access rights must be up held.In a letter to local members, development manager Calum McNicol said: “The SCA champions responsible access to the countryside and waterways in Scotland.“We work tirelessly to campaign for right of access in line with the Land Reform (Scotland) Act of 2003 and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.“Where disputes occur the SCA will endeavour to act as mediator and