The Scottish Outdoor Access Code was approved by the Scottish Parliament on 1 July 2004 so that Scotland's people and visitors would know their rights and responsibilities associated with access for recreation and or managing land. You should know the Code before you go and enjoy Scotland’s outdoors responsibly. The Code is based around 3 main principles namely respect, care and safety.

Everyone has the right to be on most land and inland water providing they act responsibly. Whether you’re in the outdoor or managing the outdoors, the key things are to:

	take responsibility for your own actions;
	respect the interest of other people;
	care for the environment.

Rothiemurchus fully endorses the Code as the means by which people can enjoy the area and can make a valued contribution towards sustaining our environment, landscape and livelihood for future generations.

Rothiemurchus has many rare species and sensitive habitats and you can help care for them by keeping your dog under close control; preferably on a lease especially between April and August and when ground nesting birds are sitting on eggs or have young. Furthermore please respect other path users and clean up after your dog.

We have fenced dog exercise areas at both Loch an Eilein and the Woodland car parks with facilities for dog waste disposal.  There is also shady parking in the Woodland CP and drinking water outside at both the Rothiemurchus Centre and Loch an Eilein Centre.

Fire is the greatest threat to the forest and its wildlife, once established it can take months to put out. Even on wet days fires can burn into the ground and re-appear in dry weather. Please be extra careful with cigarettes or stoves, just the heat from disposable barbecues can start a fire.

Please use camp grounds or designated camp sites. If you are wild camping, please do so in very small numbers, keep well away from roads and leave no trace.

This is the main deer stalking season, so please use the established hill paths shown on the map in the Lairig Ghru, Gleann Einich and to the summit of Braeriach or take advice from our Rangers on alternative routes. Deer stalking keeps the deer population at a level which enables the exceptional regeneration of the native forest, a protected habitat.

Your access rights and responsibilities are explained fully in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Please see www.outdooraccess-scotland.com for more information or for advice talk to a Ranger T: 01479 812345 rangers@rothie.net

For the most up to date stalking information please see the Scottish Hills web service.