Disputes and Resolving Conflicts

If you get into a dispute with a landowner or local resident try to quickly assess what their agenda is. If it is a matter of simply changing your behaviour e.g changing somewhere else, not blocking a drive, driving more slowly, these are legitimate concerns and try to work around them. Sometimes though, the agenda is far more complex - for example you may meet with declarations such as "this is private property" or "you have no right to be here" or "you are disturbing the fishing". In these situations you will need to politely but firmly stand your ground, pointing out that you accept that they have a point of view, but you equally feel that you are within you rights to be there and go paddling. Avoid a heated exchange if possible. Try and find out the name and status of the person challenging you - are they a landowner, their representative, a ghillie, a factor or a local resident? Make a note of things that have been said or claimed and notify the SCA office or the river advisor by e-mail of letter of the altercation. If any violence is threatened or a person's behaviour becomes verbally abusive consider reporting the matter to the local police. By and large there are few serious access problems in Scotland and a good dollop of diplomacy and mutual respect will go a long way to keeping it that way.