The Scottish arm of a walking charity is facing potential legal action over alleged “misleading and inaccurate” communications amid a dispute about walkers’ access to four munros in Glen Lyon.
The legal threat against Ramblers Scotland comes from North Chesthill Estate, family-run land that includes routes for access to Càrn Gorm, Meall Garbh, Càrn Mairg and Creag Mhòr.
It comes after Ramblers Scotland, which is the Scottish arm of a UK-wide walking charity, published images of signs that had been displayed at the estate during deer-stalking season in 2025.
The sign read: “No walking, we are stalking. September to October.”
The charity’s Facebook post said: “Remember when a Glen Lyon landowner blocked access to four munros for two months last year?
“North Chesthill Estate is once again telling people to ‘walk elsewhere’ throughout September and October.”
Ramblers Scotland claimed the “unilateral two-month ban across an entire 2,600 hectare estate” breaches the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and has launched a petition calling for a reversal of the “blanket ban”.
But North Chesthill Estate said the communications from the charity were “misleading” due to the signs being “historic” and no longer in use.
A spokesperson for North Chesthill Estate said: “We are deeply concerned by Ramblers Scotland’s news release, which presents a misleading and inaccurate account of the situation.
“The signage referred to is historic and has not been used by the estate for some time. It was previously displayed during deer-stalking periods as part of efforts to manage deer numbers in line with Scottish Government policy.
“After concerns were raised regarding the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, we worked with rural business organisation Scottish Land & Estates to review and update our signage and communications. That process was completed some time ago.”
But North Chesthill Estate’s website includes a sign that urges walkers to avoid crossing land where deer management is taking place.
The sign reads: “Stalking today. Walk elsewhere over this short period.”
The spokesperson said neither North Chesthill Estate nor Scottish Land & Estates were contacted prior to the charity’s communications on the matter being released.
“We have since raised the matter with Ramblers Scotland, which has acknowledged that the signage is no longer in use but has, to date, declined to amend its communication.
“In light of this, we are consulting our advisers regarding the options available to us, including potential legal redress.”
A spokesperson for Ramblers Scotland said it was seeking a statement from North Chesthill Estate assuring it, the public and authorities that walkers would be welcomed in September and October.
“This statement could make it clear that the estate will need to request the public avoid specific places, at the precise times when stalking is actually taking place.
“These requests should include alternative suggested routes through the estate to the iconic Munros, in line with the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.”
The spokesperson added: “Right now, the estate’s own website continues to tell people to ‘walk elsewhere’ daily during September and October 2026. This mirrors its controversial approach last year, as shown in photos accompanying our campaign.
“We hope our petition can stop a repeat of autumn 2025 and deliver a common-sense solution that benefits both walkers and stalkers – just like we see at other estates right across Scotland.”