Has everyone gone security crazy? Two seventy-year-old-plus women out walking their two small poodles and a Yorkshire Terrier are hardly a major terrorist or crime threat! Thank goodness the police had the good sense to reprimand the seemingly egotistical millionaire!
This news comes from The Sunday Mail.
QUEEN OF SKIBO THREATENED TO SHOOT OUR DOGS
OAP ramblers set police on millionaire’s wife after she orders them off her land
Exclusive by Jim LawsonTHE wife of millionaire Skibo Castle owner Ellis Short was reported to the police after she met two pensioners out for a stroll and threatened to shoot their dogs.
Eve Short ordered stunned Jean Mackay and neighbour Flora Matheson to get off her land when she spotted them walking Minty, Autumn and Benji on the drive.
The American, whose husband bought the 27million Sutherland hotel three years ago, jumped out of a 4×4 and told the ladies, both in their late 70s, if they did not leave she would get her gamekeeper to shoot the dogs.
Jean, of Clashmore, near Dornoch, said she and Flora had been walking their dogs on leads in the estate for 60 years.
Jean said: “She said we were trespassing. Flora said there was no trespass law in Scotland but Ellis said if it happened again she would get the gamekeeper to shoot the dogs.
“We go in a side gate and walk up the avenue before turning off and going up by the farm.
“We never go near the castle. Our dogs were on their leads and I was carrying the Yorkie.
“Minty is a toy poodle and Autumn is a Yorkshire terrier. Flora’s dog, Benji, is a miniature poodle – they are hardly the Hounds of the Baskervilles.”
The distressed ladies called Highland Council in Inverness who told the women they had every right to walk in the grounds.
Jean, a former law cashier, said Skibo bosses had apologised and sent flowers.
She said: “Mr Short sent his head man, Peter Crome, and another member of staff. They could not have been nicer and said we should continue to walk there. Mr Short was upset at what his wife had done.”
Jean’s card from Skibo, which was signed by Peter Crome, says: “Thank you for seeing me. I would like to express our deep regret.”
Jean added: “He said if we had any problems while we were out walking to phone him and he would sort it out.”
Northern Constabulary police said: “An incident in the grounds of Skibo Castle was reported. Our inquiries are continuing.”
Short, 46, an American fund manager, bought Skibo in 2003, three years after Madonna and Guy Ritchie wed there.
The lavish hotel attracts stars from across the world including Jack Nicholson, Michael Douglas and Greg Norman.
Brett Perkins, public relations officer for Skibo, said: “There has been an amicable settlement and as far as Skibo is concerned that is the end of the matter.”
