BUSINESSWOMAN Ann Gloag was awarded expenses following her successful attempt to protect the privacy of her Kinfauns Castle home by exempting it from the right-to-roam legislation.

The exact amount awarded has not been disclosed, but all the money will be donated to charity.

It is the culmination of a memorable week for Mrs Gloag, as the ramblers have decided not to challenge the court ruling.

Ramblers’ Association Scotland convener Alison Mitchell said, “We decided to focus our efforts on bringing some of the issues raised by the court case in Perth to the attention of the Scottish Parliament.

“To prolong the Kinfauns dispute through appeals, with the possibility of going to the European Court of Human Rights, would take several years.”

Access campaign officer Helen Todd said, “We do not yet know the actual costs, but we have considerable concerns that there is speculation that the costs might be up to £200,000.

“These are the kind of costs one would expect in a case that has gone to the House of Lords, not Perth Sheriff Court in a case which is testing rights of access over just four acres of woodland.”

“If substantial costs are being awarded against ourselves and Perth and Kinross Council, it raises serious concerns over access to justice for local authorities, local communities, outdoor recreation bodies and other charities.

“There is a serious risk of limiting access to the courts on right to roam legislation to those who are very rich.

“As a result, we may have to take up this issue with the Scottish Executive to investigate whether some kind of protection against excessive costs can be brought in for right to roam cases.”

Perth and Kinross have yet to decide whether to appeal the court’s decision.

Mrs Gloag’s spokesman told The Courier, “Mrs Gloag always intended to give any expenses awarded to her in this case to charity.”

Mrs Gloag is renowned for her charitable work— last month she donated £1 million to an initiative geared towards improving compassionate care in nursing.