I reckon CCTV might be most effective - at least around the house tho appreciate wouldnt have stopped this incident. And maybe self closers on the gates - that way if theyre left open it has to be deliberate propping open - ie mischief making.

But am still shocked re the ragwort/horse thing.

Do you have an equivalent to Joe Duffy over there? He presents a radio programme here on RTE 1 (national broadcaster) during the afternoon and basically, if someone isn’t getting anywhere following normal channels and wants to bring an issue to the public’s attention in the hope of getting something done about it, then they ring Joe Duffy. “Getting on to Joe Duffy” is practically a phrase with its own meaning at this stage.

We’ve mentioned the problems we’ve had - particularly with walkers feeding the pigs - to council access officers, animal welfare officers and the like, but their advice is to get some leaflets to hand out to educate people. (On the other hand, we’d find ourselves hauled before the courts if we denied access to anyone!)

Even when it comes down to personal privacy, the Scottish Outdoor Access Code simply states”respect people’s privacy and peace of mind. When close to a house or garden, keep a sensible distance from the house, use a path or track if there is one, and take extra care at night”.

People interpret this as they want - usually in favour of wandering in and out as they please.

As for farmers and crofters, we’re now “land managers”. “Recreation users” are advised to “help land managers and others to work safely and effectively . Do not hinder land management operations and follow advice from land managers. Respect requests for reasonable limitations on when and where you can go”.

Again, that’s wide open to interpretation.

Even if there was an actual outbreak of bird flu, foot-and-mouth disease, or similar diseases, the Scottish Executive’s contingency plan states “the countryside will be kept open and a presumption in favour of access will be maintained”.

What it all boils down to is that the countryside is very much a recreational theme park for the benefit of suburban and urban people. They can go where they please, when they please and we have to accept it.

This came through quite clearly in a Scottish Natural Heritage study, which found recreational users believed land managers should conduct land management to minimise interference with people accessing the countryside. In other words, recreation should come before farming, forestry, quarrying and other agricultural or industrial uses.

There’s also no recognition that it’s our home and workplace, but woe betide us should we choose to visit an urban area for a wander through a few gardens and the odd workplace or two…

(And incidentally, I do think there needed to be a much better right of access than there used to be, but the right to roam is wide open to abuse by the countryside’s “recreational users” with almost no redress for people like us where their “right” becomes a gross intrusion into our privacy, a potential threat to biosecurity and animal health, or even a threat to their health and safety - in which case we may be held responsible.)

I’m considering setting up a couple of playful trap pranks. Or bringing out the slingshot.

Having a similar problem with a certain person on my blog; have yet to figure out how to deal with that one, but. …