Police lock down Scots country park and beach ahead of Donald Trump's arrival
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HOLIDAYMAKERS have been ordered to leave a country park boasting one of Scotland's best beaches as police prepared for Donald Trump's visit to his nearby golf course.
Visitors were told to vacate the beauty spot as security is beefed up ahead of US president's trip to his neighbouring Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire tomorrow.
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President Trump will travel to his Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire after visiting his Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire
Credit: REUTERS/Phil Noble
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Visitors to the award-winning Balmedie beach in Aberdeenshire have been ordered out
Credit: Iain Masterton/Alamy Live News
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Holidaymakers were forced to go to make way for a massive security operation
Credit: Iain Masterton/Alamy Live News
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Police are patrolling the beach with borders the US president's Menie Estate
Credit: Iain Masterton/Alamy Live News
Officers locked down Balmedie Country Park and its coastal stretch — which has won 20 awards for the quality of its sand and water.
Locals have vowed to protest after the Scottish Government announced a tournament held at his Trump International resort is being given £180,000 of taxpayers' cash.
An onlooker said: 'Police were shutting off the beach and the park.
'It's one of the country's best and we're in the middle of the school holidays.
'Trump doesn't own it so it feels ridiculous that people who live here are being told to leave.
"Loads of people were told to go.
'Is it any wonder most people around here hate him so much?'
Balmedie Country Park has miles of sandy beaches and dunes and is popular all year with tourists and locals.
Only a flimsy waist-high wooden fence separates it from the US president's 1,400 acres of land.
Police had warned roads and the park would be shut in advance while a massive security operation gets underway ahead of Mr Trump's arrival.
British Army soldiers, snipers, US Secret Service agents and cops were spotted in huge numbers over the weekend as he visited his Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire with similar scenes expected.
US and EU agree landmark trade deal after months of talks, Donald Trump says
The Republican chief will open a new 18-hole course there named after his late Scottish mum Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis.
Neighbours have vowed to protest the plans and the announcement that public cash will be handed over for the Nexo Championship being held at the resort next month.
Activist Alena Ivanova, organiser of Stop Trump Scotland, says the demo will be a "festival of resistance".
She added: 'This message is to Donald Trump but also our elected leaders preparing to meet him — there is no place for Trumpism in Scotland.
'In the vicinity of the golf course people will be making noise and using creative props to bring the message as close to home as possible that Donald Trump is not welcome here.'
Assistant Chief Constable Alan Waddell said: 'A policing plan is in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption.
'We are working with transport planning partners, including local authorities, on temporary road closures.
'We understand a visit of this scale and the significant policing operation required can cause some disruption, and we are thankful to communities for their patience and understanding.'
We told how a protester was arrested and given a recorded police warning on Friday for "abusive behaviour and refusing to stop" at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire where the American leader's Air Force One jet landed.
Trump today met with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen at his nearby Turnberry golf course where they they agreed fresh trade terms.
He set US tariffs on goods at 15 percent and announcedthe EU will spend nearly £500billion in American investments and buy more than £100bn in energy and purchase military equipment.
Mr Trump called it a "good deal for everybody" while Ms von der Leyen called it "huge" and revealed there had been "tough negotiations".
He will also meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney before the end of his five-day trip.
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