---
title: Access Authorities
description: Access authority is the colloquial term used to describe the public organisations that are charged with managing outdoor access in Scotland. It is made up of local authorities and national park authorities. NatureScot maintain a list of access authorities and…
url: "https://soan.org.uk/ask/a-z/things-start-a/"
updated: "2025-11-26"
category: Technical A to Z
tags:
  - Access authority
  - access management
  - Access officer
  - local authority
  - National park authority
---

# Access Authorities

Access authority is the colloquial term used to describe the public organisations that are charged with managing outdoor access in Scotland. It is made up of local authorities and national park authorities.

NatureScot maintain a list of access authorities and their access officers on the [Outdoor Access Scotland website.](https://www.outdooraccess-scotland.scot/doc/scottish-access-officer-contact-list)