A keep fit enthusiast and walker in Fairlie has hit out at action whch stops public access at a local historic spot.

In a letter to the Largs & Millport Weekly News, Mr Muir Anderson of Main Road stated: "Since moving to Fairlie over 30 years ago, I have regularly jogged up Fairlie Glen to the stile, and beyond. I was outraged to find my way blocked by a gate across the footpath.

"Notices on the gate left no doubt that, beyond, was now private property and that access further up the glen could only be had by exiting the footpath on to the farm road. From the road, I was able to see that the whole castle has been surrounded by a builder’s fence." Mr Anderson added: "It appears that Fairlie Castle is to be turned into the private dwelling house of a well known local businessman — the same person who has planning permission to build houses on the line of the proposed village by-pass.

"My anger is directed at the members of NAC planning department. Are they not employed as public servants, to look after the good of the community?

I see no good in cutting off a public right of way and denying public access to a historic building which has come to symbolise Fairlie.

Perhaps I should not be so surprised, having given away the by-pass route, the only thing that can save the village from collapsing under the weight of countless lorries, I suppose turning a historic monument into a house is only a minor catastrophe." Full page of views and letters in the 'News.'