Walkers have faced access problems recently

Walkers and climbers should ring the police if they are confronted by aggressive landowners, two representative groups said.

The advice follows reports of landowners or managers approaching and intimidating walkers in Scotland.

The Mountaineering Council of Scotland and Ramblers Scotland said outdoor fans should keep calm if faced with aggression on the hills.

They should use the non-emergency 101 number to report any incidents and should note details of what happened.

The MCofS said under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act, people have a right of access to most land and inland water in Scotland, so long as they act responsibly as detailed in the Scottish outdoor access code.

Landowners should respect these access rights when managing their land or water and act reasonably when asking people to avoid land management operations, the council said. They are also expected to cooperate with their local authority and other bodies to help integrate access and land management.

Andrea Partridge, MCofS access officer, said: “If anyone feels they have been intimidated or threatened while exercising their statutory rights of access, they should report the incident immediately to the police by calling 101.

“They should make a note of the time and location of the incident, individual’s names if appropriate, and vehicle registration numbers.

“By far the majority of landowners in Scotland welcome access on their land and respect the rights and responsibilities enshrined in the law.

“However, unfortunately, there are a few who are not so welcoming hence the advice to report incidents to the police.”

She was backed by Helen Todd, campaigns and policy manager for Ramblers Scotland, who said: “Our rights of public access are world-renowned.

“Many walkers feel passionate about protecting their right to roam but they should nevertheless remain calm if faced with an aggressive land manager who is trying to prevent them walking on their land.

“Walkers can choose to continue on their route or take account of any reasonable advice on an alternative, but they should report any intimidation to the police in the first instance, and also to the Ramblers or MCofS.”

The MCofS said not all access problems require police involvement.

Normal access problems should be reported to the local access officer, who will be contactable through the relevant local authority or national park authority, it said.

Rights in England and Wales are different, with access governed by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act in defined open access areas.