Following the introduction of signs forbidding entry around the slopes of Carraghan, it appears yet again that it's time for Manx law to reflect changes already brought about in the UK. Unlike the UK, the Isle of Man has no ’Right to Roam’ legislation ensuring members of the public can walk on uplands in private ownership.

In England and Wales the Countryside and Rights of Way Act introduced in 2000 guarantees non-motorised recreational access to open countryside such as mountains, moors, heaths and downs, whether it is publicly or privately owned. InScotland the public’s freedom to roam is more extensive. The Land Reform (Scotland) Act of 2003 opened up nearly all of the Scottish countryside to non-vehicular access.

The land on Carraghan is privately owned but hikers have enjoyed unhindered access to the hill for decades, and paths to the summit are well established. 

Walkers have already protested about the closure to the Department of Infrastructure, which is responsible for footpaths and rights of way.

People on the island do not have same legal right of access to open countryside as they do in England, Scotland and Wales; let's change this to support the continued use of rights of way and footpaths across the island.

’This is about the rights of the Manx public and recognising that our beautiful hills are a national asset that should be accessible to everyone.

’The importance of the outdoors for physical and mental health has been underlined during the recent Covid-19 pandemic; walking in the countryside is also an attraction for potential tourists and new residents, but less so if swathes of it are closed off.’

Much of the island’s uplands is owned by government and zoned as areas of public ramblage. But there are still significant sections in private ownership where access is dependent on the landowner’s permission; this is to be respected as should anywhere which falls under the 'countryside code' however, the rights of the many should not be punished by the actions of the few.

Isle of Man newspapers article: http://www.iomtoday.co.im/article.cfm?id=61381&headline=Hillwalker%20demands%20the%20right%20to%20roam&sectionIs=NEWS&searchyear=2021