The increasingly dangerous tactics used by the Rural Rebels must stop before someone - protester or innocent passer by - is seriously hurt

Assistant chief constable Ian Dickinson

About 100 horsemen and women tried to parade through part of central Edinburgh to highlight their complaints that most politicians are ignoring countryside interests.

The Rural Rebels - who oppose proposals for land reform and a ban on fox hunting - had travelled to Edinburgh from Berwick, Lauder, Dumfries and Stranraer.

However, they were blocked by police who said passers-by would be endangered and that permission for the event had not been sought.

Lothian and Borders Police's assistant chief constable, Ian Dickinson, said he and his colleagues were "seriously worried that death or great injury are a real possibility.

"We urge those involved in organising the events to stop taking risks with other people's lives."

Right to proceed

He said police resources had been taken away from other communities to deal with what he described as the "disruptive and dangerous" tactic of mass riding through city centre streets.

"The increasingly dangerous tactics used by the Rural Rebels must stop before someone - protester or innocent passer-by - is seriously hurt," he stressed.

However, the Rural Rebels maintained they had a right to proceed with their demonstration and accused the police of turning it into an "unnecessary confrontation".

An earlier protest was held outside Bute House

A spokesman said: "Police were fully consulted and extra stewarding and safety demands met.

"One hundred and three horses and riders in seven groups from 42 villages assembled today for a peaceful ride to parliament to highlight their plight."

The stand-off between police and protesters came the day after a policeman was injured during a demonstration outside First Minister Jack McConnell's official residence.

Sergeant Alan Duffy suffered bruising to his foot when a smoke canister exploded outside Bute House on Wednesday.

The Rural Rebels, who are also protesting over the handling of the foot-and-mouth crisis, have staged several high profile campaigns in recent months.