Indeed, the Newtown-based local authority comes out top of all 32 Scottish councils in terms of complying with the Disability Discrimination Act, according to a council spokesperson.

Under that legislation, disabled people have the right to expect no physical barriers will exist in the provision of access and facilities within public buildings.

Sadly, that is not the case at Sir Walter Scott's courtroom in Market Place, Selkirk. Built in 1803, it was where the great writer dispensed justice as Sheriff of Selkirkshire until 1832.

Around 20 years ago, a railed ramp was installed at the rear of the building. However, to get to the ramp, people in wheelchairs must negotiate four flights of what are locally known as the Fleshmarket steps.

"For about two decades we have had a disabled access which cannot be accessed by the disabled," said Councillor Kenneth Gunn (SNP, Selkirkshire). "It's a standing joke, although I don't suppose it's funny for those who can't get in to see one of the town's most important attractions."

Mr Gunn says SBC, which operates the courtroom through its museum service, has been aware of the problem for some time.

"I have attended a meeting on the site with SBC officials, but to date, no solution has been forthcoming which is a shame with another tourist season under way.

"A major issue has been the gradient of the steps which, if ramped, would still be too steep for wheelchair users to scale and would present even more danger to them coming back down.

"Whatever happens, I expect it will be a fairly costly job at a time when council budgets are tight."

A spokesman for SBC told TheSouthern: "This is certainly not a case of us ignoring our responsibilities. The Act states that 'reasonable adjustments' be made where possible to allow disabled access to our buildings.

"The work carried out to date in Selkirk is the best adjustment we can make at the moment. Because of the style and layout of the building and the steepness of the surrounding streets, we are severely limited on what we can do.

"A number of options are being looked at for the future and these include providing a virtual tour of the courthouse from (nearby] Halliwell's Museum, which is fully accessible, or waiting until the lease on the Courthouse Coffee Shop (next door to the courthouse] comes up for renewal and then investigating the possibility of an internal lift.

"People in Selkirk can be assured, however, that we will keep looking at the situation to investigate what can be done in the near future to improve access to this important building."

z The courthouse will be closed to the public from Thursday to Sunday, June 12 to 15, for Selkirk Common Riding.