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Last Updated: Wednesday, 13 June 2007, 18:54 GMT 19:54 UK
Calls for review after Gloag case
Kinfauns Castle
Ramblers will no longer be able to roam 12 acres of the estate
MSPs have called for an urgent review of access laws following a sheriff's decision to ban ramblers from the grounds of a millionaire's estate.

Labour said advice should be sent to sheriffs reminding them of the importance of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

The call came after Stagecoach founder Ann Gloag won the right to prevent the public freely roaming her land.

The SNP's Roseanna Cunningham is also set to raise the issue in parliament.

Speaking during a debate at Holyrood, Labour's environment spokesperson Rhona Brankin described the court ruling as "worrying" and claimed it went against the spirit of the 2003 Land Reform Bill.

If the spirit of that bill is not being respected, then we need to take responsible steps to remedy that
Rhona Brankin

She said: "If the spirit of that bill is not being respected, then we need to take responsible steps to remedy that."

The Scottish Outdoor Access Code gives the public statutory access rights to the outdoors - as long as they observe responsible conduct like keeping dogs under control and respecting a landowner's privacy.

Ms Brankin said it was "extremely disappointing" that the sheriff in the Ann Gloag case had failed to take adequate account of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

She added: "Labour will call for an urgent review of access legislation to examine whether this judgment fundamentally undermines the intention of the land reform legislation."

'Massive chunk'

Rosanna Cunningham plans to raise the matter during First Minister's Questions on Thursday.

She said she would be in discussions with the Ramblers Association and officials at Perth and Kinross Council to investigate having the ruling overturned.

Ms Cunningham - the MSP for Perth, which covers Ann Gloag's Kinfauns Estate - said she was also extremely concerned at the ruling.

She said: "No-one denies Ann Gloag's right to privacy and to enjoy her property but I simply do not accept that it is necessary for her to fence off such a massive chunk of the estate to ensure that can be achieved."




SEE ALSO
Tycoon wins access law exemption
12 Jun 07 |  Tayside and Central
Court hears high protection claim
04 Jan 07 |  Tayside and Central
Tycoon 'ignored' access law claim
03 Jan 07 |  Tayside and Central
Tycoon's home security 'is vital'
27 Nov 06 |  Tayside and Central
Long lens photos of tycoon home
30 Oct 06 |  Tayside and Central
Tycoon's 'security risk' claims
23 Oct 06 |  Tayside and Central
Walkers form court fighting fund
17 Aug 06 |  Tayside and Central
Tycoon wins estate fence hearing
30 Jun 06 |  Tayside and Central
Tycoon launches court access bid
02 Jun 06 |  Tayside and Central

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