Ramblers take on Stagecoach millionaire

Ann Gloag's attempt to stop public access to her land to be challenged in court

News, 18 August 2006

The Ramblers Association Scotland has launched a high-profile legal bid to challenge landowner Ann Gloag's attempt to keep its members off her land.

Mrs Gloag, the Stagecoach millionaire, is the first landowner to test the scope of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 in court. In her action, due to be heard later this year, she seeks a declarator that public rights of access to not apply to 12 acres of land round her home, Kinfauns Castle in Perthshire. She pleads grounds of the security of her family and valuable possessions kept at the castle.

Mrs Gloag recently had a mile-long, six-foot-high barbed wire security fence built to enclose the area, which takes inan area of native woodland. Historic Scotland recently abandoned efforts to have the fence removed. which she claims is to prevent her grandchildren running out onto a busy road.

The Ramblers Association says Mrs Gloag's action, if successful, would set a dangerous precedent. It is hoping to raise £20,000 for its legal challenge and has hired the advocate John Campbell QC. An appeal fund has been launched.

Dave Morris of the association said there was no point spending many years campaigning for access rights which were among the best in the world, only for them to be eroded away by landowners using the law to their advantage.