A Stirlingshire woman told a court she was driven up the wall at being locked out of a millionaire’s estate.

Marian McGloin said when she found the gates to Euan Snowie’s Boquhan House grounds locked, she resorted to climbing the wall. She told Stirling Sheriff Court that she had used the estate as a short cut two or three times a week to get to her brother’s house.

Mr Snowie is attempting to have his 70-acre estate, near Kippen, exempted from the right-to-roam rights granted by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act. He claims he fears for his family’s security.

Mrs McGloin, a 58-year-old social-care officer, said in evidence to the court: “I was so frustrated I climbed over the wall. It was quite high, and I haven't done it again.

“I can't get to my brother's house now, with the gates being closed.”

Her sister, 57-year-old teacher Quita Lewis, confirmed that as she had cycled and walked through the estate for 30 years. She told Sheriff Andrew Cubie that she used to take her children to play in the woods.

When the gates were locked, a countryside ranger told her the council knew about the closure. Stirling Council subsequently issued an order to open at least one of the gates, which Mr Snowie is now appealing against. The Ramblers’ Association in Scotland is supporting the council.

Sheriff Cubie adjourned the case until 2 July. Judgement in the case is not expected until later in the year.