Specific lambing times may have ended but we have had reports of sheep worrying by dogs on different sections of the West Highland Way, most recently between Kinlochleven and Glen Nevis.
Please keep your dog on a lead and take note of the information below:
Please note, The Dogs (Protection of Livestock) (Amendment) (Scotland) Act 2021 came into force on 5 November 2021 to tackle the issue of out of controls dogs attacking and worrying livestock.
More advice for dog owners and land managers is available here from Police Scotland.
Please be aware that sections of the route go through working farms where livestock will be present, not all sections are able to have diversions.
Please pay particular attention when walking with dogs as there will be sheep with lambs and cows with calves along the route. Both can be easily disturbed and also could potentially be a danger, see advice below:
The information below is a short summary of the key things to remember from the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
The Access Code says:
Access rights apply to people walking dogs as long as their dogs are kept under proper control. Your main responsibilities are:
- 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.
For further information see the Scottish Outdoor Access Code website here.