Summer is getting in full swing here in the Loch Ness area, and today we have the weather to match! Blue skies and sunshine! (Honest!)
When your out and about in a rural area, be it here (or indeed anywhere!) its best to keep the country code in mind…..so here it is again!
Nessie thanks you in advance for helping her to look after this wonderful area!
Enjoy The Countryside And Respect Its Life and Work
Help those who live and work in the countryside by being a careful and considerate visitor, and by following the Country Code. A courteous approach to all you meet will help us all enjoy the countryside better.
Guard Against All Risk of Fire:Accidental fire is a great fear of farmers and foresters. Be careful to put out all used cigarettes and matches, and cook by stove rather than by fire. Be especially careful during dry periods, and never throw a cigarette out of a car window.
Leave All Gates As You Find Them:But if you find a gate closed, always make sure that you leave it closed, to avoid farm animals straying. Farmers sometimes leave gates open to allow their animals to graze in the next field or to get water. So help a farmer by leaving gates as you find them but, if in doubt, do close a gate.
Keep Your Dogs Under Close Control:Always keep your dog on a lead when walking on roads or when close to farm animals. Your dog may be well behaved but the farmer does not know this. At other times always keep your dog under close control so as not to disturb wildlife, or annoy or alarm other visitors.
Keep To Paths Across Farmland: Avoid damage to growing crops by walking around the edge of fields or by keeping to an existing path across it. Avoid entering fields with farm animals, especially where there are young animals, and if you are with a dog.
Use Gates And Stiles To Cross Fences, Hedges And Walls: Damage to a fence, wall or hedge can allow animals to get out, so help the farmer by using gates and stiles. If you must climb a gate because it is difficult to open, always do this at the hinged end.
Leave Livestock, Crops And Machinery Alone: Crops, animals and machinery are all of high value. Help the farmer, and care for your own safety too by not interfering with any equipment or animals – and don’t let others do so.
Take Your Litter Home: Broken glass, tins and plastic bags can be dangerous to people and farm animals, and wildlife can also be trapped and die. All litter is unsightly so always take yours, and any that you may come across, home with you to dispose of properly.
Help Keep All Water Clean: Not everyone living in the countryside is on the public water supply, so take care with your personal hygiene to avoid causing any pollution. Farm animals need clean water too, so don’t interfere with water troughs provided for livestock.
Protect Wildlife, Plants and Trees: Leave all natural places as you find them. Never uproot plants as they’ll be gone forever. If you come across wildlife, keep your distance and don’t watch for too long lest you cause disturbance and stress, especially if adults are with their young and in winter, when food may be scarce or weather harsh.
Take Special Care On Country Roads: Always drive with care and reduced speed on country roads. Park your car with consideration to others needs, especially to avoid blocking gateways or other drivers sight-lines. Walkers, particularly large groups, should take special care on country roads.
Make No Unnecessary Noise: People go to the countryside to enjoy its peace and quiet, so avoid noise or disruptive behaviour which might annoy residents or visitors, or frighten farm animals or wildlife.
Enjoy yourself and the wonderful scenery around you – and don’t forget your camera!
For more info on the Scottish Outdoor Access code click HERE
Earlier this year Destination Loch Ness,(DLN) AKA – visitlochness, in addition to its own efforts to raise money, was awarded funding for the development of a long distance trail on the south side of Loch Ness. This exciting project called the “Loch Ness Trail” will, when completed early next year, provide a trail for all types of users, walkers, horse riders, cyclists etc and which will stretch from Loch Tarff, a few miles out of Fort Augustus, all the way to Inverness, the Highland capital. That is about 27 miles ! Some sections are already well established, such as that over the Fair Haired Lad’s Pass (stunning views of Loch Ness) and the project does not actually involve the construction of much new trail as it’s more a case of linking up some of the existing forest and farm trails to develop an unbroken off road route.