A bitter row has broken out over access rights to a public path during one of the world’s biggest golfing events.
Walkers will be banned from using a right of way near the Ryder Cup venue at Gleneagles over fears “uncontrolled” numbers of people could try to watch the event for free.
Up to 45,000 paying spectators are expected at the competition each day between September 23 and 28.
Organisers want to close off the route on Auchterarder’s golf course for up to eight days, saying it is a matter of public safety.
This has sparked fury among rambling groups, who have described the move as “heavy handed”.
Campaign and policy manager for Ramblers Scotland Helen Todd told The Courier that the path should remain open.
She said: “I don’t see why this should be a big issue. It’s a bonus for local people if they can see the Ryder Cup for nothing.
“Generally speaking, an order to remove the statutory right of access wouldn’t actually make a difference.
“People wouldn’t be doing anything wrong if they were to continue walking along the path. It’s not the most effective measure that could be taken.”
Meanwhile, land reform campaigner Andy Wightman hit out at the decision to ban locals from the path.
Although Auchterarder golf course is owned by Perth and Kinross Council, the area is part of common good land.
Mr Wightman described the process as a “bizarre state of affairs”.
He added: “It is perfectly reasonable for the organisers of the Commonwealth Games to seek to exempt the shooting range at Barry Buddon from the legal right to walk across it and along any core paths for the duration of the games.
“It is also reasonable in the context of the Ryder Cup venue at Gleneagles.
“But it is one thing to seek to exempt land over which you have control and are managing for the purposes of an event open to the paying public.
“It is quite another indeed to seek to suspend the public’s right of access over other land, particularly over common land that belongs to the people of Auchterarder.
“It appears to me that this whole process is a gross over-reaction to what is a real but manageable possibility of public order problems.”
He urged residents to object to the proposals and to call on the council to set up a viewing zone along the path with associated entertainment.
Perth and Kinross Council confirmed the community had already been briefed on the closure and no concerns had been raised.
They told The Courier it was part of a wider security plan and a “minimal” number of routes would be affected.
A spokesman for Ryder Cup Europe said: “As with any major sporting event of this nature, some access restrictions need to be in place to protect the site.
“We are working closely with the council and community and the proposals are in keeping with previous Ryder Cup events in Wales and Ireland.”
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