Naked Rambler leaves Scotland after six long years

THE “Naked Rambler” left Scotland yesterday for the first time since being locked up for refusing to wear clothes in public.

Just days after being released from Saughton Prison in Edinburgh, Stephen Gough trekked across the border south of the village of Upper Hindhope.

Wearing nothing but his trademark backpack and a pair of socks, a hat and walking boots, Mr Gough headed into the Northumberland National Park.

The 53-year-old was due to cross the Border at about 8pm last night before finding a place to sleep in England. Mr Gough told yesterday how he eventually plans to head south to Southampton to visit his mother after five months of incarceration.

He said: “I’m really happy to be out of jail and visiting my mum. But all I can think about at the moment is food. I’m very hungry.”

Mr Gough has 18 convictions for breach of the peace and contempt of court for refusing to wear clothes in front of a sheriff and has been in prison almost without a break since May 2006.

His most recent conviction was five months ago.