The Act – an Overview
3.Part 1 establishes a right to be on land for recreational, educational and certain other purposes and a right to cross land. The rights exist only if they are exercised responsibly. Some of the provisions for that purpose are also extended in relation to rights of way and other rights. Part 1 imposes certain duties on local authorities in relation to access on and over land in their areas and, in particular, requires them to draw up and adopt a plan of core paths in their areas.
4.Part 2 confers on bodies representing rural communities a right to buy land with which the community has a connection. The right will arise in relation to land in which the body has registered an interest, when that land comes to be marketed or sold. Part 2 defines the land which can be bought under that Part, sets out the procedures for establishing a community body, for registering an interest in land. Part 2 also sets out the circumstances in which the right to buy is activated and the procedures for exercising it (including procedures for valuation of the land being bought, for appeals and for compensation).
5.Part 3 gives bodies representing crofting communities a right to buy certain land. It therefore defines the land that can be bought, who can buy it and how it is to be acquired. Nothing in Part 3 affects rights given by or under the Crofters (Scotland) Act 1993 (c.44). It does not prevent a crofting community body buying or owning any other land.