Walkers have been told to call in the police after reports of ramblers being threatened by landowners, signalling a new battle of the hills.
In a strongly-worded joint statement, the Mountaineering Council of Scotland (MCofS) and Ramblers Scotland urged walkers to remain calm if faced with aggressive land managers.
The row comes as plans for a mass protest walk on an estate in Wester Ross on St Andrew's Day continue, with walkers threatening to exercise their legal right of access. The protest comes after a number of incidents in which it was claimed the estate was trying to restrict access to the land.
The walk was proposed in the aftermath of a blog by Dr Kenneth Brown, of Glenmoriston, in which he detailed an alleged encounter with the son of an estate owner.
In October Dr Brown and his wife were returning to their car after a walk in the area when the man allegedly approached them, demanding to know what they were doing "walking on his hill" and was said to be behaving in an aggressive manner.
Dr Brown decided to air the incident on land reform campaigner Andy Wightman's blog, resulting in a flood of criticism of the estate.
The estate has not commented.
Following the recent reports, the MCofS and Ramblers Scotland have now joined forces to recommend a course of action to walkers.
Andrea Partridge, access officer for the MCofS, said: "If anyone feels they have been intimidated or threatened while exercising their statutory rights of access, they should report the incident immediately to the police by calling 101.
"They should make a note of the time and location of the incident, individuals' names if appropriate, and vehicle registration numbers."
Under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, the MCoS say people have a right of access to most land and inland water in Scotland, so long as they act responsibly as detailed in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Landowners should respect these access rights when managing their land or water and act reasonably when asking people to avoid land management operations. They are also expected to cooperate with their local authority and other bodies to help integrate access and land management.
"By far the majority of landowners in Scotland welcome access on their land and respect the rights and responsibilities enshrined in the law," said Ms Partridge. "Unfortunately, there are a few who are not so welcoming, hence the advice to report incidents to the police."
She added: "If anyone feels they have been intimidated or threatened while exercising their statutory rights of access, they should report the incident immediately to the police by calling 101."
Ms Partridge said any alleged victims should make a note time and location of the incident, individual's names if appropriate, and vehicle registration numbers.
Her comments were backed by Helen Todd, campaigns and policy manager for Ramblers Scotland, who said: "Our rights of public access are world-renowned.
"Many walkers feel passionate about protecting their right to roam, but they should nevertheless remain calm if faced with an aggressive land manager who is trying to prevent them walking on their land.
"Walkers can choose to continue on their route or take account of any reasonable advice on an alternative, but they should report any intimidation to the police in the first instance, and also to the Ramblers or MCofS."
Not all access problems require police involvement, she added. Normal access problems should be reported to the Local Access Officer, who will be contactable through the relevant local authority or national park authority.
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