Scottish Outdoor Access Code

21st November 2014

The creation of Three Lochs Way has taken many years of (sometimes delicate) negotiations with landowners who have entirely understandable fears about the potential problems which might arise because of increased numbers of people taking access to their land. The success which Helensburgh & District Access Trust has had in establishing the route is down primarily to the good relations it has built with the landowners and it is vital for the future development of the route that these good relations are maintained. As you walk the Three Lochs Way please help the Trust maintain these good relations by always observing the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The main points of the code which apply are;

1. Take responsibility for your own actions and act safely;
2. Respect people’s privacy and peace of mind. When close to a house or garden, keep a sensible distance from the house, use a path or track if there is one, and take extra care at night;
3. Help land managers and others to work safely and effectively. Do not hinder land management operations and follow advice from land managers. Respect requests for reasonable limitations on when and where you can go;
4. Care for your environment and take litter home. Do not disturb wildlife, leave the environment as you find it and follow a path or track if there is one;
5. Keep your dog under proper control. Do not take it through fields of calves and lambs, and dispose of dog faeces responsibly. (Please note that sheep and cattle are present along many sections of the Three Lochs Way and so extreme care must be taken with dogs which must always be kept on the leash.)
6. If camping you should chose a site well away from habitation, the site should be occupied for one night only and it should be left as you found it including taking away all litter. Take care with your toilet arrangements, making sure that any faeces are well buried or are taken with you for responsible disposal later on.

 

CAMPING

Unfortunately the Lomond Woods Holiday Park at Balloch does not accept tents and there are no other commercial campsites anywhere on the route. Although “wild camping” is always an option, this must be carried out responsibly and appropriate sites may be hard to come by, especially in the more settled southern sections of the route between Balloch and Garelochhead.  Your best option really is to book accommodation in the many B&Bs and guest houses which exist in and around the towns and villages along the way.  Many of these businesses will happily drop you off and pick you up at the beginning and end of each section, especially if you book for more than one night, and on that basis many will also be willing to transfer your bags when you move on to different accommodation. Camping is more of an option in the more remote sections of the Three Lochs Way, but common sense dictates that extra care be taken within the Garelochhead Training Area where there is the slight possibility of misunderstandings arising, perhaps at 3 o'clock in the morning when you are disturbed by trainee soldiers on a night exercise. Consequently if you intend camping there we recommend you inform the training area first by telephoning them on 01436 810369.

 

FIRES

Helensburgh and District Access Trust does not recommend fires as they are unneccessary, messy and a potential hazard to forestry.

Click here for further information about the Scottish Outdoor Access Code