Core paths in Scotland are legally required routes for public access, with no set physical standards, meaning they can range from faint field lines to paved walkways. Local authorities in Scotland, including Aberdeenshire, must create plans for these paths under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. The dataset likely results from a national initiative by the National Access Forum, Scottish Natural Heritage, and the Scottish Government to standardize grading information for these routes.
Use Cases
- Mapping public access networks based on the core paths plan requirement.
- Analyzing path density and distribution for land-use planning based on the statutory access authority system.
- Assessing physical route characteristics for accessibility studies based on the described grading system initiative.
Strengths
- Dataset is based on a statutory requirement under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003.
- Supports a national standardized grading system initiative promoted by government bodies.
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
Provenance
- Source
- Government Digital Service
- Collection Method
- Plans drawn up by local authorities (access authorities) as required by law.
- Time Range
- null
- Freshness
- null
- Geography
- Aberdeenshire, Scotland