Ardoch estate in Perth & Kinross

A long-running access dispute may finally be resolved thanks to the land reform legislation. The estate has been owned for many years by the al-Tajir family from Dubai, who also have many businesses including the Highland Spring mineral water bottling plant at Blackford.

Despite Scotland’s traditional freedom of access, there has been a long and depressing history of walkers being denied access to this estate. However, in November 2005 Perth & Kinross Council began taking action under the new access legislation and threatened to serve a legal notice to get “no entry” signs taken down and padlocks on gates removed. It is hoped that negotiation will resolve the issue without the council having to take to the courts.