Scotjamie wrote:However, and hypothetically, interested in any knowledgeable opinion on the legality of climbing (carefully) over a locked gate to continue up a track.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code says,
"Locked gates should be reported to the local Access Officer, with a copy sent to the MCofS A&C Officer, as should difficult to cross barriers (especially barbed wire or electric fences) with no crossing points. In cases where you cannot find a crossing point nearby, then you do have the right to climb over the barrier, although this should be avoided if possible. This should be done in a least damaging way – gates at the hinge end, fences at strainer posts and dykes at the most solid point such as using a through stone."
Taken from MCofS at
http://www.mcofs.org.uk/access-law-and-soac.asp