Law walkers hit by EU cash row

The path has been used as access to Traprain Law in East Lothian - popular with climbers - for almost 40 years.

It was recently ploughed by farmer Alistair Clark, however, and a pile of rocks and dirt was dumped at the entrance.

In addition, it is understood that another pile of rocks has been dumped in a lay-by close to the road, preventing people from parking.

The dispute appears to centre around EU funding to maintain the path, which recently ended. An application for renewed funding was refused, and the farmer has now decided to use the land for crops.

However, after being in use for so long, the path is considered an established route, meaning any change has to be agreed with the local council.

While another access point exists, it is at the far side of the Law, meaning a walk over rough terrain to get to the base of the crag.

Hebe Carus, access officer for the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, said she had received more than a dozen complaints in the last week, from individuals and climbing groups, about the blocked-off access point.

"It is a concern as this is an established path and we have never had any complaints from the farmer about climbers damaging the crops," she said. "We are hoping this can be sorted out by the council and the path either restored or a more suitable route created."

Reports have suggested that the path has been closed as part of a dispute between the landowner James Clark - the father of farmer Alistair - and the council over proposals to put up wind turbines near Traprain Law. However, Mr Clark reportedly said his son, who is his tenant on the land, had decided to combine the two fields, and denied there was any link to his application.

He said measures had been taken to provide an alternative access road, and that he had seen both the council and other visitors causing damage to the crops.

A sign on the path posted by Alistair read: "We took the opportunity, some years ago, to use EU and Scottish Government funding to improve the access by upgrading the path. This funding has ended and an application to renew it has been refused."

The notice added: "East Lothian Council, without consultation or permission, has done works to the field.

"We are concerned that this is an action designed to change the current informal access to an established right of way."

The council confirmed that it had periodically put wood chip down on the path to show "more clearly" where the boundaries were and prevent any damage to the farmer's crop, and insisted it had always contacted the farmer first to get permission for the work.

A spokeswoman for East Lothian Council said:"We are currently in discussions with both the landowner and farmer to discuss possible solutions to this concern which we hope can be resolved fairly quickly."

If it was decided to restore the path, the council would have the power to force the farmer to dig up any crops planted there.