FARMERS in Scotland's Environmentally Sensitive Areas are to receive
extra payments for making land available for walking and ''quiet
recreation'' under a voluntary scheme launched yesterday by Scottish
Office Agriculture Minister, Sir Hector Monro.
The scheme, assisted by the EC, will compensate farmers at the rate of
#170 per hectare for establishing new public access to their land.
The scheme will be targeted at land which gives access to a vantage
point, a site of historic interest or which links in with other access
points.
Annual payments will be made for 10-metre-wide access strips alongside
or across fields. Payments will also be made for the erection of gates,
stiles and footbridges. On-site signboards and waymarks will be provided
free of charge.
Farmers will have to maintain free passage over the land and clear up
litter and refuse.
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