In this Act, except where the context otherwise requires—
"local authority" means a regional, islands or district council;
" proper officer " shall be construed in accordance with section 235(3) of the [1973 c. 65.] Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 ;
" public place " means any place (whether a thoroughfare or not) to which the public have unrestricted access and includes—
the doorways or entrances of premises abutting on any such place ; and
any common passage, close, court, stair, garden or yard pertinent to any tenement or group of separately owned houses; and
" vessel" means any kind of water-craft including a hovercraft within the meaning of the [1968 c. 59.] Hovercraft Act 1968 but not including a vessel in Her Majesty's service.