Concerning tracks+paths - closed gates. 
The general rule as far as we are aware is that it is ok to go through gates
which are shut if they are secured by rope/twisted wire etc. because they 
are there to prevent sheep/goats from wandering away, but that if such gates
are secured by padlocks or are signed as private then access is not allowed. 
This part of the walk does take you through two such farm-gates but both were 
simply tied up and not marked so we simply made sure we re-secured them properly 
once through. 

Several farm vehicles passed us during this part of our walk and the drivers 
just waved so presumably walking here was permitted but even so we were not 100 
percent convinced that a grumpy landowner would not suddenly turn up. 

If anyone knows to the contrary please let us know so that we can remove 
this walk from our site.
Thanks
FangKat @v2net.co.uk