HARRY Potter author JK Rowling has been dragged into a row about an alleged breach of right-to-roam laws on land she controls.
Walkers claim that a historical six-mile right-of-way through forestry land in the Scottish Borders has been blocked off, according to reports on the BBC.
Thistlelane Ltd, a firm with Rowling’s husband Neil Murray as director, owns the 290-hectare Sheperdscleuh estate as well as the 306-hectare Wardlaw estate.
The author herself has majority control over the firm, holding at least three-quarters of the shares.
The BBC reported that, while the company has confirmed “issues” are being thrashed out with locals about their rights of access, it has denied breaching any legislation.
Photos provided to the BBC appear to confirm allegations that no access signs have been put up on gates on the right of way.
The path in question is known as the Captain’s Road. It runs from the Tibbie Shiels Inn at the south end of St Mary’s Loch, west of Selkirk.
The six-mile route runs through to Hopehouse on Ettrick Water.
Gordon Harrison, a former chair of the Ettrick and Yarrow Community Council who took part in the original negotiations with landowners when re-establishing sections of the Captain's Road, said there had been “continuous hurdles put up to prevent people using the route”.
He told the BBC: "The latest is them planting saplings across the right-of-way and not offering any alternative routes – those saplings will quickly become large trees and it will be impossible to walk or cycle through there."
Charlotte Cavey-Wilcox, from Thistlelane’s agent Scottish Woodlands, said: "We are currently liaising closely with Scottish Forestry, Scottish Borders Council and the Ettrick and Yarrow Community Development Company to try and resolve the issues.
"Members of the public have a right to responsible access under Scottish legislation and the terms of the Scottish Outdoor Access code and these rights have not been restricted within Shepherdscleuch Forest."
