Rambler's naked court protest

Mr Gough refused to wear a blanket

A Highland sheriff conducted his court in the cell of a man dubbed the "naked rambler" when the accused refused to put any clothes on.

Stephen Gough, 44, was due to appear in the courtroom of Dingwall Sheriff Court, in Ross-shire, but declined to get dressed or wear a blanket supplied by police.

Mr Gough is attempting to walk from Land's End to John O'Groats in the nude to promote the right to go naked in public.

The court hearing was moved to his cell where the sheriff, his clerk and the fiscal stood in the corridor while Mr Gough stood naked for the pre-trial hearing.

I would just like to see the sunshine Stephen Gough

He continued to plead not guilty to breaking the peace near Dingwall on 27 August by walking naked in public and while under bail orders from sheriff courts at Duns, Perth and Inverness, where he had appeared denying similar charges.

Mr Gough, of Eastleigh, Hants, was again remanded to Inverness Prison for trial on 3 October at Dingwall Sheriff Court.

It will be the first in the series of trials that the former Royal Marine has to face.

When Sheriff Kenneth Stewart asked Gough what he had to say about bail he replied: "I don't know. I would just like to see the sunshine."

Fiscal Roderick Urquhart told Sheriff Stewart: "The accused takes the view that he ought to have the right not to wear clothes, and thinks that his view takes precedence over other people's right not to be confronted by him naked."

Mr Gough then said: "I believe the offence is basically a tag people put on you for not wearing clothes.

"I don't think it is anyone's right to impose their beliefs on others."