Rationing an open-access resource: mountaineering in Scotland

Abstract

This paper considers alternative means of rationing access to outdoor recreation areas, focussing on rock-climbing sites in Scotland. Such rationing is deemed increasingly important due to crowding and environmental externalities, yet cultural and practical considerations mean that a system of simple entry fees to mountain areas is unrealistic. We use a repeated nested multinomial logit model to predict the impacts on welfare and trips of two alternative rationing mechanisms currently being considered by resource managers: (i) the imposition of car-parking fees and (ii) measures to increase access time (the so-called “long walk-in” policy). The impacts of these policies employed at three different sites (Glencoe, the Cairngorms and Ben Nevis) is investigated: we find, for example, that a 2 h increase in walk-in time in the Cairngorms reduces predicted visits by 44%, with knock-on effects being felt at other, substitute sites. A £5/day car-parking fee reduces predicted trips to the Cairngorms by 31%. The paper concludes with a discussion of the role of such rationing mechanisms in future land use policy in the mountains.