Summary
Forests and woodlands provide a wide range of benefits for people in Scotland. They offer ideal spaces for leisure, recreation, and sport for all ages. But forests are also workplaces.
Forestry plays a key role in the rural economy. Timber production generates income for landowners and supports jobs in forestry and related industries. As forests planted in the last century reach maturity, harvesting and haulage operations have increased. This makes it more important than ever to balance public access with safety during forest operations.
Land managers must meet both health and safety laws and land access responsibilities. Managing access alongside operations is a practical process that involves land managers and access authorities working together. The goal is to carry out forestry work safely while minimising disruption to public access and recreation.
This Practice Note outlines clear steps to achieve that goal. It offers guidance on early stakeholder engagement and careful planning. It is intended for landowners, managers, forestry professionals, access authorities, and recreation groups.
