Nature Friendly Visiting

The National Park is not just a place to be visited, it’s a working landscape and you’ll often find yourself in locations, such as farms, estates and areas protected for their conservation value.

That is why we hope all our visitors act responsibly and respect their surroundings, while having a safe and enjoyable time in the National Park.

We’ve brought together some advice on how to respect nature when visiting.

Rubbish

When visiting the National Park, there won’t always be bins close by, especially in very rural areas. Always remember to pack some bin bags so you can pick up all your rubbish and take it home with you. Leaving litter spoils the view for others, it can be harmful to wildlife and it’s expensive to clean up. If you do see a bin, only use it if there’s room. Leaving litter next to a full bin is still littering, and it can often encourage others to do the same, resulting in huge piles of waste. Your rubbish is no one’s responsibility but yours. If you can bring it, you should take it away.

Staying on paths

The National Park has many protected areas, such as designated Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and nature reserves that have unique ecological and geological significance. By staying on paths, everyone can play a vital role in protecting the landscapes’s delicate biodiversity and natural landscape.

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Nesting birds

Remember, all wild birds, their nests and eggs are protected by the law (Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981). Damaging, destroying or disturbing nests, birds or eggs is an offence. Schedule 1 species e.g. Golden Eagle, Osprey and Kingfisher, are especially vulnerable and subject to additional protection.

Some common indicators of disturbance include:

Alarm calling
Visibly agitated birds, sometimes circling the threat
Mock or actual dive bombing

A particularly sensitive time is during incubation – if the parent birds are scared off the nest, the eggs can chill quickly and effect embryo development. The period of time when birds are incubating eggs can vary widely depending on location and species.

Ground nesting birds are commonplace in the Park. In general, they are less likely to be disturbed by walkers as they usually build nests away from popular paths. However, the greatest risk comes from dogs running off the lead in areas not normally visited by walkers. Dog owners should keep their animals under close control during nesting season in these areas.

For more information see:

Farmland & animals

Lambing & Dogs

Hill farming takes place throughout the Park. To a farmer, lambs represent their livelihood and income – the next generation of ewes and rams. To dogs, the lambs are defenceless ‘prey’ and unfortunately the National Park Authority receives reports every year of sheep being attacked and lambs killed. It is imperative that dogs are kept under close control when livestock is present (especially during lambing). For more information see the Scottish Natural Heritage ‘Dog Walking’ guide.

If you walk your dog in the Park, please take note of any signage at access points and adhere to the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (SOAC).

Farm animals

Never let your dog worry or attack farm animals. Don’t take your dog into fields where there are lambs, calves or other young farm animals. If you go into a field of farm animals, keep your dog(s) on a short lead or under close control and keep as far as possible from the animals. If cattle react aggressively and move towards you, keep calm, let the dog go and take the shortest, safest route out of the field.

Crops

Don’t take your dog into fields of vegetables or fruit unless there is a clear path, such as a core path or right of way, and keep your dog to the path.