By Steve Bargeton, political editor

FIRST MINISTER Alex Salmond yesterday urged MSPs to let the legal process run its course before trying to amend the Land Reform Act.

At Question Time Perth MSP Roseanna Cunningham raised concerns about the law as a consequence of a sheriff’s ruling to allow Stagecoach millionaire Ann Gloag to ban ramblers from part of her Perthshire estate.

Ms Gloag was the first private landowner in Scotland to seek exemption from right-to-roam laws.

There have been calls at Holyrood for MSPs to look again at the Land Reform Act which enshrines the right-to-roam principle.

But the First Minister, who told the chamber that another case is ongoing at Stirling Sheriff Court which affects the same issues, made it clear it was his view that the current legal process should be concluded before MSPs act.

He said, “What we have at the moment is a sheriff’s opinion.

“There’s an indication from the local council that they’re going to take the matter to appeal and then we’ll get a determination.”