The owner of Fairlie Castle has responded to concerns raised about access to the 15th century monument during construction works.
Billy Kirkwood attended the recent community council meeting, and said that access to the castle will be maintained, after complaints had been made that bulldozers and JCBs were limiting access to the castle and countryside area beyond.
Mr Kirkwood submitted plans to the council to transform the building into a habitable dwelling with a large modern extension including garage, which have been approved.
Fairlie council chairman Rita Holmes stated that there had been public concerns about the condition of the road access to the castle, and some flooding, as construction work begins its early stages.
Mr Kirkwood said: "I have spent most weekends up there, and most people dress sensibly, as beyond Fairlie Castle, the path is very rough.
"There was an access formed on Kelburn wall to Bourtrees Farm with serious excavations, which didn't have any consent, and there are black pipes which stick out through the wall, and that is where all the water is emerging from - I have offered to remedy that so that the water goes into the watercourse.
"The intention is to improve the road surface, but that is once all the services have gone down it, we still have water, electricity etc. and there is no point making improvements until these further excavations have happened."
Mr Kirkwood stated that the road access had been widened, and improvements would continue to make sure there was no problems.
"People do accept it is a path/track - it is not a formal road or adopted road - and the road will be improved but only when times allows when other works takes place.
"We will continue to make improvements - and we will endeavour to keep the area tidy."
Last month, Cunninghame North MSP Kenneth Gibson voiced his disappointment about the closure of a section of a popular Fairlie glen walk leading to the castle.
Around 18 months ago, the traditional path from Burnfoot Cottage to Fairlie Castle, was diverted midway, and now joins on to the main path leading from Castlepark Gardens.
In response, Mr Kirkwood said: "The track that people did walk previously, basically if they want to continue to walk that way, they will need to walk through my bedroom and lounge.
"We have diverted the track 8m to the left, I struggle to understand people's concerns about that one."
Access campaigner David McNeur told the 'News': “The local authority said it was not a right of way, they said it was an informal path promoted by the community council, which is untrue. The community council had funding from North Ayrshire Council to put signs to the castle and it’s about a century-old footpath.
“You would think that with a scheduled monument it would be in the council’s interest, and the public’s interest and the country’s interest to keep it a scheduled monument. Why then did they not think it would not be important from a public standpoint?”
A spokesperson for North Ayrshire Council said: “The planning permission was a renewal of a previous planning consent for the restoration of Fairlie Castle to form a dwelling house.
“In relation to publicity, I can advise that both consents were subject to the statutory notification procedures, arising from which there were representations from the public and a consultation response from Fairlie Community Council. 
“The points of representation were assessed within the planning officer’s report of handling.”