Escape of Cattle and Cut Chains on gates at Glenapp
Two years ago, the Dumfries and Galloway Outdoor Trust who manage the Mull of Galloway Trail, asked the ACP to take over maintenance of the final few kilometres from the county border at Galloway Burn to Glenapp Kirk, as this section lies in South Ayrshire.
Though not part of our own ACP – as Trail Manager I am furious that yet again, careless behaviour here by thoughtless walkers – in opening a large double stock gate instead of using the stile built for walkers – allowed the escape of a large herd of cattle down through a second gate also left open and on the A77 T road busy with ferry traffic. This could have had fatal consequences for both vehicle occupants and the animals.
The Estate Manager’s graphic poem of the incident (see earlier post) shows remarkable restraint, given many wasted hours spent rounding up cattle – and just one of several previous incidents this year on Glenapp estate. He is a very busy land manager – and I know he is also furious!
This incident has come on top of a lot of antisocial behaviour at Glenapp – north of the start of our ACP section – by undesirable people using dogs, quad bikes, and offroad motorbikes, plus theft and drug exchanges – that has forced him to padlock two gates on the Sandford hill track, to prevent illegal motor vehicle – but NOT pedestrian – access.
The ACP fully understands and utterly supports the Estate’s drastic action – and have also made approaches to erect stiles at both gates.
To make matters much worse – yesterday he reported that the chains on both those gates were cut. This malicious vandalism sounds more like the work of a “right to roam” fanatic – or someone with a mean grudge – and local knowledge.
Behaviour like this – or simply leaving gates open – totally undermines the trust and goodwill we have built up over the past eighteen years with our farmers and landowners – and may jeopardise the continued existence of parts of our Ayrshire Coastal Path.
If anyone hears of anything that might help identify those responsible – please pass on the information.
Jimmy Begg, Trail Manager, Ayrshire Coastal Path
