Mrs Gloag said she hosted high profile guests at the castle

The claims came during the Stagecoach tycoon's bid to ban public access to part of her land at Kinfauns Castle.

Council access officer David Stubbs told the hearing at Perth Sheriff Court that Mrs Gloag's solicitor was aware of Scotland's right to roam laws.

Mrs Gloag is seeking to have part of her estate exempt from the legislation because of security concerns.

Mr Stubbs, who works for Perth and Kinross Council, told the hearing that a member of public raised concerns when they saw the fence being erected in 2005.

Access code

He said: "I thought they had put up the fence and were not aware the law had changed. That was my impression.

"But in discussion with (Mrs Gloag's solicitor) Peter Watson, it was clear he was aware of the access code. That was my recollection."

Mr Stubbs said he had made efforts to resolve the situation without "having a row".

"My view, even at that stage, was that some of the land within the planned fence, was access land," he added.

The council, backed by the Ramblers Association Scotland, has contested the action and has sought to move part of the fence.

However Mrs Gloag, one of Scotland's richest women, has cited fears of intrusion and thieves on her estate and that her high-profile guests needed privacy.