Why 'Public Access' Isn't a Right (and what to do if asked to leave)

Think you have a right to be there just because the gates are open? You might be accidentally trespassing. This video explains the critical legal difference between 'publicly accessible' spaces like retail parks and actual public property. Many people believe that if land is open to the public, it must automatically be public land. But legally, that is often NOT the case. In this video I explain the important difference between public land and publicly accessible private land — and why photographers, drone operators, auditors and members of the public need to understand it. This distinction affects filming rights, trespass, access, security interactions and more. 0:00 The Big Misconception: Public Access vs. Public Land 0:35 Examples of Private Spaces with Public Access 0:54 Understanding "Implied Permission" (The License) 1:12 When Permission is Withdrawn: The Trespass Risk 1:27 Civil vs. Criminal Trespass in the UK 2:03 What Genuinely Public Land Looks Like 2:40 The "Airspace Layer": Flying Over vs. Launching From 3:33 Where Both Sides Get it Wrong (Security vs. Auditors) 4:39 Summary: Your Rights on Public vs. Private Land 5:58 When Civil Trespass Becomes Criminal 6:14 Final Advice: The Safest Way to Handle Confrontation The content on this channel includes: The entire coastline of Scotland - by drone; DJI Mavic 3 flights; DJI mini 3 Pro flights; DJI mini 2 flights; 360° tours; tutorials; how to guides, waypoints, special maneuvers, parallaxes, spiral orbits, settings, ND filters, etc also reviews of drone related products - all of this and more on the Windswept Robert YouTube channel! 🚗💨 Fuel the Next Adventure! If you’ve enjoyed this journey through Scotland with me and my drone crew, you can help power the next one by tossing a bit of fuel in the tank: 👉 https://www.buymeacoffee.com/WindsweptRobert Your support helps cover travel costs, gear upgrades, and time spent bringing these immersive experiences to life. Every bit is truly appreciated — and it means more content, more locations, and better sound with every upload! ⸻ 🎬 Want exclusive perks & behind-the-scenes access? Become a channel member for: • Early previews of upcoming videos • Outtakes & behind-the-scenes moments • Direct creator updates Join here 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@windsweptrobert/join ⸻ 📩 Business inquiries or collaboration ideas? Reach out: windsweptrobert@gmail.com