'Madonna castle' bill threat

Madonna chose Skibo Castle for its tight security

Wealthy landowner Peter de Savary has claimed a legal right to roam could threaten his exclusive Highland hideaway Skibo Castle.

Mr de Savary has written to the Scottish Executive saying that its land reform bill could threaten the secluded £14m castle where Madonna and Guy Ritchie were married in December.

He claims he would be unable to guarantee the security and safety of celebrity guests if walkers were allowed to wander across his land, placing 80 jobs at risk.

The Scottish Executive has been seeking submissions on proposals to reform land ownership in Scotland, which include wider access for walkers and the right of crofting community to buy their land.

Madonna, Guy Ritchie and baby Rocco

Under the proposed legislation, walkers' existing rights to free access to the Scottish countryside will be formalised.

Mr de Savary claims the international jet set would stay away from the £700-a-night 20-bedroomed castle near Dornoch, if their safety was not guaranteed.

He said the Carnegie Club, which operates at the castle which he owns, had been formed five years ago as "an exclusive international members' club".

He went on: "We now have more than 500 members from 35 countries worldwide and many of them see the club as a unique bolthole where they can shelter from the public eye.

"If we were to lose this exclusivity, we would have great difficulty in retaining or gaining club members and our operation could be seriously at risk.

No trespass law

"The wedding of Madonna to Guy Ritchie took place at Skibo Castle principally because we were able to guarantee complete security."

Skibo Castle operates as the club house on the estate, while lodges scattered throughout the estate offer accommodation.

The Ramblers Association said walkers already had the right to ramble across Mr de Savary's land because there was "no law of trespass in Scotland".

A spokesman for the executive said: "We have received a response from Mr de Savary about the Land Reform Bill which will be considered with the other responses we have received."