Quick answer: In Scotland, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code says access rights extend to non-motorised water-based activities such as canoeing, rafting, rowing and sailing, and to rivers, lochs and reservoirs. Rights come with responsibilities: pick suitable water, keep clear of intakes and spillways, respect anglers, follow local byelaws and look after banks and water quality. Canal locks and lifts are excluded.
Scotland’s approach to access is different from the rest of the UK, so it deserves its own guide. This article covers Scotland only and is based on the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (the Access Code) pages published by NatureScot. For waterways in England and Wales, check the navigation authority concerned; the site’s guide to the best places to paddle board in the UK gives an overview of rules in each nation. General information only; check the Code and any local notices before you launch.
What the Access Code says about water
The Access Code’s page on canoeing, rafting, rowing and sailing says access rights extend to non-motorised water-based activities. Its examples are canoeing, rafting, rowing and sailing, and paddle boards are not named in that list. A paddle board is a non-motorised craft, and NatureScot’s own visitor guidance for Loch Leven National Nature Reserve groups paddleboarding with canoeing and kayaking when it asks water users to follow its Water Access Guidance. Boards with motors are a separate matter; the site’s guide to electric paddle boards covers them.
The Code’s page for rivers, lochs and reservoirs adds that access rights extend to them, but never go close to spillways or water intakes. Paddlers are asked to care for the interests of other users and for the natural heritage by not intentionally or recklessly disturbing birds and other animals, not polluting the water because it may be used for a public water supply, and making sure the river, loch or reservoir is appropriate for the activity and the numbers involved.
Choosing the right water
The Code asks users to check that the water is appropriate for the activity and the number of people taking part. It also tells paddlers to avoid going close to water intakes, abstraction points or spillways. On some water bodies that are intensively used for a wide range of activities, the Code says management measures such as zoning and byelaws may be needed for safety or water quality reasons and to protect the environment, and users should follow any agreed guidance provided.
For the Loch Leven example, NatureScot says paddlers on that reserve are asked to follow its Water Access Guidance, which includes avoiding bird-sensitive areas. NatureScot also advises against watersports there between September and March because of the large number of birds, and says there is no access at any time for motorised or sail craft. These are rules for that site only, but they show how local guidance can sit on top of the general right.
Sharing the water with anglers
Anglers are a major user group on Scottish waters, and the Code gives specific direction:
- avoid nets or other fishing tackle;
- when close to anglers, keep noise and other disturbance to a minimum;
- on lochs, keep a safe distance from anglers;
- on rivers or other confined waters, await a signal from the angler or ghillie to proceed if they have a line in the water, and follow any suggested route they indicate if it is safe and practicable.
For loch or reservoir fisheries that operate commercially, the Code says a visit can be very disruptive, may raise safety issues because of the number of anglers in a small area and can affect the operation of the business. Its advice is always to talk to the land manager before going onto such water.
Getting on and off the water
The Code asks water users to take extra care when entering and leaving the water to avoid damaging the banks or disturbing wildlife, and to use a public slipway if one is close by. For land managers, it encourages working with the local authority or recreation groups to identify suitable parking and launching sites. The site’s guide to paddle boarding safety covers buoyancy aids, leashes and cold water.
Canals
The Code’s canals page says access rights extend to canals, canal towpaths and canal embankments, but the amount of recreational and commercial use and the safety issues arising mean that use has to be managed. Anyone wishing to canoe or take part in other water-based activities on canals should follow local byelaws or regulations, including the Towpath Code of Conduct. The Code warns that canals can be confined and may contain deep water, and says that for safety reasons users should always give way to motorised craft. Canal locks and lifts are regarded as structures, so access rights do not apply to them, although access across some lock gates might be possible where specific provision has been made.
A quick checklist before you launch in Scotland
- Is the water suitable for a board and for the size of your group?
- Have you checked for local byelaws, zoning or site guidance, especially on busy lochs and nature reserves?
- Are you well away from intakes, abstraction points and spillways?
- Do you know how you will pass any anglers?
- Have you picked a public slipway or established launch spot?
- Are you leaving no litter or pollution?
The bottom line
Scotland’s Access Code gives paddlers wide access to non-motorised water-based activity on rivers, lochs, reservoirs and canals, subject to responsible behaviour. The practical work is in the details: choose suitable water, respect anglers, follow byelaws and site guidance, use proper launch points and stay away from intakes and spillways. The Code and NatureScot’s pages are the place to confirm the current wording, and any local signs should be followed on the day.
Sources
- Canoeing, rafting, rowing, sailing (outdooraccess-scotland.scot)
- Rivers, lochs and reservoirs (outdooraccess-scotland.scot)
- Canals (outdooraccess-scotland.scot)
- Loch Leven NNR: visiting the reserve (nature.scot)