Court orders clan chief to keep beauty spot open

By ALASTAIR MUNRO
Published on 08/12/2012 00:00

A CLAN chief has been forced to allow access to a beauty spot at the Moray Firth town of Nairn.

A CLAN chief has been forced to allow access to a beauty spot at the Moray Firth town of Nairn.

Alexander Brodie of Brodie had erected a gate at Kingsteps, Lochloy, at the weekend after a longstanding dispute over the area attracting anti-social behaviour and “immoral” hunting.

The 27th Clan Chief of Brodie had sealed off a car park and access to the popular East Beach and Culbin Sands along the Moray Firth coastline.

But yesterday, at Inverness Sheriff Court, Highland Council was granted an interim interdict to ensure continued access by vehicle, foot, cycle or horseback to the car park.

A spokeswoman said afterwards: “This means that the gate cannot be closed and will allow public access, which has been exercised for more than 20 years, to continue.”

Speaking prior to the court case, Mr Brodie said: “It is the residents I feel sorry for, having to deal with this behaviour. It is also a nature reserve and a protected area. It is not like a public forest walk.”