The Ramblers Association has expressed its disappointment at a Sheriff Court judgement yesterday allowing the owners of Kinfauns Estate to restrict access to walkers.

The Ramblers said the decision contravenes the spirit of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act. Kinfauns is owned by Stagecoach millionaire Ann Gloag.

“We recognise that there are important privacy and security issues at Kinfauns but do not think these have been resolved through this court action. We regret that the dispute arose when Mrs Gloag erected a mile long security fence around her property, without first obtaining the necessary planning approval.

"There is a serious risk that this court judgement could encourage other landowners to take similar action to exclude public access from extensive tracts of ground. If this were to happen it co uld fundamentally undermine the intentions of the land reform legislation.”

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