Stagecoach boss's court victory over Scottish ramblers

[Gerrard Winstanley]

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Rambler fears after Gloag victory
BBC News, UK - 11 Sep 2007
In June the Stagecoach millionaire Anne Gloag won the right to keep 
people out of several acres of grounds at Kinfauns Castle - her home 
near Perth. ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/
6990290.stm

Land Reform Act 'needs defending' 
 
Ms Gloag won her case denying access to some of the grounds
A former environment minister has called on MSPs to defend the 
principles of the flagship Land Reform Act. 

Labour's Sarah Boyack was addressing a Holyrood debate on the impact 
of Stagecoach tycoon Ann Gloag's landmark court victory earlier this 
year. 

The ruling exempted about four acres of land surrounding her Kinfauns 
Castle home in Perthshire from access. 

The Ramblers Association warned that others may follow Ms Gloag's 
example, without fear of a challenge. 

Ms Boyack said that the Land Reform Act, which brought in widespread 
access to Scotland's countryside, including private land, was one of 
parliament's most important pieces of legislation. 

"It was a symbolic act," she said. 

"It reflected the importance of access to our land in our cultural 
life and identity. 

"It delivered public access to the countryside and the right to roam." 

Public access 

She also voiced concerns over the £144,000 costs now facing the 
Ramblers Association for bringing the case against Ms Gloag and 
whether this would put other public bodies off bringing in similar 
cases. 

Ms Boyack called for public costs orders to be considered which would 
require an amendment to the act and protect those "acting in the 
public interest" to challenge access laws from being subject to 
excessive costs. 

These currently exist in England and Wales. 

Ms Gloag's legal team argued that the sheriff's decision was 
consistent with the access code.