Scottish walkers say blanket bans on estate access cannot become normal

North Chesthill Estate in Glenlyon is home to four munros - Càrn Gorm, Meall Garbh, Càrn Mairg and Creag Mhòr - but walkers say they have been faced with locked gates and signs telling them to avoid walking on the estate.

The estate put up signs saying ‘no walking, we are stalking’ during the annual deer culling season. However Ramblers Scotland says this is unacceptable and against the Scottish outdoor access code.

They say access to the estate has been an ongoing issue for over a decade and that WalkHighlands has branded the four munros as “the least friendly in Scotland for hillwalkers” because of the “long history of access issues and problems”.

Danny Carden, communications manager at Ramblers Scotland, said: “We have seen ‘no walking’ signs for two months for all of September and October, and advice on its website to deter walkers for all over November.

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“Scotland’s right to roam applies to the vast majority of Scotland but we don’t see any other estate with multiple-month bans on walkers.

“Stalking estates are within their rights to ask walkers to avoid routes at specific times and dates for common sense safety - that is 100 per cent fine.

“But we really need to see Perth and Kinross Council using its legal powers to get a solution here because this can’t keep happening.

“It has to stop now.”

Ramblers Scotland also says they have received “worrying” reports of walkers being challenged by estate staff and “a long list of requests” including sticking to the ridges, walking in a clockwise direction and being off the hills by 7pm.

Mr Carden added: “It is so unusual. We cannot let this be seen to be normal -it is vital this doesn’t become acceptable.

“It needs to be nipped in the bud now because if irresponsible requests are made of walkers, it makes it harder for walkers to trust land managers.”

Mark Ruskell, Green MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, said: “For years now this estate has flouted its responsibilities to deliver public access rights.

“Ultimately this is an issue that Perth and Kinross Council need to deal with. The current situation is not acceptable and could even put some walkers in danger.

“The Scottish Government recently agreed to revisit guidance to councils to clarify their important role in upholding access rights.

“We need effective enforcement but in this case and too many others it’s just not happening.”

Perth and Kinross Council has said it is looking at the situation on the North Chesthill Estate, but added the locked gate and signs have now been taken down.

A spokesman said: “We’re currently considering our next steps.

“Landowners and access takers should be acting responsibly and following the Scottish outdoor access code, which has specific advice on deer stalking, including the hills concerned.

“If people are obstructed or deterred from responsibly accessing land in accordance with this guidance, they should report the details to the council via our website.”

However North Chesthill Estate has defended its actions, saying the Scottish Government's outdoor access code and deer stalking targets are “incompatible priorities”.

It also criticised access groups and the local council for being “unwilling to support such a compromise” during the deer stalking season.

A spokesperson for the estate said: “The estate is carrying out a deer cull during less than 18 per cent of the year as agreed with and specified by NatureScot, and there are significant penalties for the estate if those targets are not achieved.

“The estate totally supports responsible access to the outdoors, but conflicting objectives at that time of year from the same government agency can potentially lead to incompatible priorities.

“The estate has therefore made significant attempts to achieve an acceptable balance between achieving NatureScot’s cull targets, whilst also continuing to support public access during the period of the cull.

“Information on alternative local and wider walks is provided in a flyer available on site and on the estate website.

“However, it has become evident that access groups and some from within Perth and Kinross Council maintain a polarised view of the situation and are unwilling to support such a compromise as per the legislation contained within the Land Reform Act (Scotland) 2003 and the associated guidance in the Scottish outdoor access code.

“What is of great significance and assistance is that the bulk of our visitors and the public appreciate the difficulties and have behaved with prudence and responsibility over this short period.

“However, a minority would wish to continue to thwart the contents of the Scottish outdoor access code about avoiding disturbance to the open hill and deer culling activity.

“The estate continues to welcome constructive suggestions for how both NatureScot’s cull targets and access for visitors can be mutually achieved when neither is complementary for what is a quite limited period of the year.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government said: “The code of practice on deer management, which is under review, sets out both the legal requirements of those managing deer in Scotland alongside best practice.

“NatureScot is working with stakeholders to ensure the code provides appropriate advice and updated guidance for everyone managing deer.

“We expect the updated version to be published following the passage of the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill.

“In its role as the appropriate access authority, the council is best placed to secure agreement in cases where there is a dispute.”