Police have been called in to a row over an alleged right of way being blocked by a local hotelier.
It is understood that a powerful glue was poured into a padlock on newly-erected gates across a track leading to Loch Linnhe at Onich in Lochaber.
And it is believed that another padlock was then fixed to the gate, preventing it being used for a time.
Locals were angry when gates were erected across the route, which leads to Glenmorven House, as they claim it has provided access to the shore for crofters, other local people and holidaymakers for more than 100 years.
And they became furious when they discovered the gates were then padlocked.
A police spokesman said: “At about 3pm on Saturday, August 30, police received a report of vandalism to property in the Onich area. The incident was believed to have occurred between 7am and 2.45pm.
“As a result of the vandalism, access to a gated area was obstructed.”
Glenmorven House is the second home of German businessman Roger Neimeyer, whose main base is in London.
He also owns Glencoe House Hotel.
Kathleen Cameron, 62, who lives nearby and is grazing clerk for Onich township, said she was aware that a strong glue had been placed in the lock but did not know who was responsible.
She said she had used the track every day since she was a small child and pointed out that it also provided access to the shore for emergency vehicles.
She said: “It has been a right of way for 100 years or more. The puffers used to come in to the pier down there and my grandfather and great-grandfather used the road when they took coal and goods off the pier.
“This is also a tourist area and I’ve had many people on the phone or at my door wanting to know why they can’t use the road they have used for the 30 to 40 years they’ve been coming here on holiday.”
She added that she accepted that Mr Neimeyer had a right to erect the gates, but they should not be locked.
A local man, who did not want to be named, pointed out that there was supposed to be a right to roam in Scotland and said the locked gate was “obviously an attempt to prevent access”.
And another man, who also wished to remain anonymous, said the row had split the village with some people siding with the landowner and others angry about the locked gate.
Mr Neimeyer said he could not comment on the situation as it was now in the hands of the police. He said Highland Council’s access officer for Lochaber was also involved.
And a spokeswoman for Highland Council said: “We are not in a position to comment at this stage.”