The public have been assured they are still welcome to walk in the grounds of Skelmorlie Castle.

Access rights are to be maintained in specific areas of woodland and grassland at the castle.

The confirmation has come from North Ayrshire Council after a Skelmorlie woman who walks her dog in the area told the “News” she got the distinct impression the owners of the castle were trying to discourage walkers.

Anne Murdoch, 70, who has visited the grounds for 20 years, says a network of paths identified as being open to the public were now in a poor condition and some had become “muddy, overgrown and dangerous”.

She said: “I have stopped going up there now. Elderly ladies like me have difficulty walking up there and I have abandoned the idea. If I fell when I was on my own, there would be no one there to help me.” The “News” contacted one of the castle’s owners, Dr Cameron Marshall, to ask what the situation was but he refused to speak to us. Instead he referred us to North Ayrshire Council’s access officer.

In a statement, the council said: “Public access rights will be maintained in specific areas of Skelmorlie Castle’s woodland and grassland, including the network of paths used by the public.

“Outdoor access rights are covered by the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. They do not extend to land which is identified as a ‘privacy zone’ for a residential property.” The council pointed out that the law stated there must be ‘sufficient adjacent land to enable those living there to have reasonable measures of privacy to ensure that their enjoyment of the house or place is not unreasonably disturbed.

“Skelmorlie Castle was held in trust and access was permitted throughout the grounds prior to its purchase as a residential property. We have taken into account legislation, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and a number of legal cases which have defined the size of a privacy zone as proportionate to the size of the property.” The council and North Ayrshire Outdoor Access Forum have been in discussion with the landowners and visited the site to determine the extent of this private area.

The spokesman added: “It was agreed that public access rights will be maintained in specific areas of woodland and grassland, including the network of paths used by the public.

“The more intensively managed sections close to the castle and associated buildings, such as the lawns and some of the woodlands closest to the property, form part of the privacy zone.

“The landowner has provided signage to highlight the path network and the areas where access rights do not apply. The landowner has also indicated his commitment to improving the woodlands and access to the path network.” The historic building was previously owned by the late R Clement Wilson and the castle was the family home and headquarters of the Wilson group.

The family sold the castle and woods to new owners around two years ago. They still run the Barcapel Foundation from an office within the castle mews.