Latest news with #TheSandBothy
Scottish Sun
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Anger as popular beach that never closes is shut down for Donald Trump visit
A ring of steel is being thrown up around the tycoon's first Scots golf resort LOCAL FURY Anger as popular beach that never closes is shut down for Donald Trump visit A COUNTRY park and beach that never closes is being forced to shut down for Donald Trump. Cops have warned angry locals that the popular community facility in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, will be out of bounds from Sunday night. Advertisement 4 A popular community park is being shut down ahead of Donald Trump's visit to Scotland Credit: Reuters 4 Harry McGee is unhappy that he won't be able to visit Balmedie Country Park with his horses next week Credit: Newsline Media 4 Locals have been warned Balmedie Country Park will be out of bounds next week Credit: Newsline Media 4 Chinook helicopters arrive at Aberdeen Airport ahead of Donald Trump's Scots visit Credit: Newsline Volunteers have been forced to axe support sessions at a community cafe as well as wheelchair visits to the dunes. While it's understood residents who live nearby have been warned they will have to produce ID to access their own homes when US president Trump jets in next week. Harry McGee, 66, runs his horses along the sands three times a day, said: 'What total nonsense. 'He doesn't own the beach. What makes him so special that he can lock us out? Advertisement 'That man is going to cause complete chaos here. What makes him any different or better than me?' Balmedie Country Park is home to miles of sandy beaches and dunes and is busy regardless of the weather. Its website boasts that it's 'open from dawn to dusk all year round'. But the only thing dividing it from Trump's newly built second golf course is a waist high fence that looks like it's falling down in spots. Advertisement And his resort is accessible from the public beach by anyone who wants to walk along. Community centre cafe The Sand Bothy runs craft and support sessions, as well as wheelchair visits to the beach. Bitter Stephen Colbert issues shocking three-word warning in crude message for Donald Trump after his show axed for 'losing $40m a year' But the charity trust that operates it has been contacted by police officers and told they will be shut out after Sunday night. The team will get to hold their annual fun day but after they clear up will not be allowed back in. Advertisement It's understood a strict cordon will be in place after the final house on the road that leads to the country park. In a social media post the trust which runs The Sand Bothy said: 'All group activities, classes and meetings scheduled during this period are cancelled. The Changing Places toilet will be unavailable 'We understand this may cause inconvenience for some, and we truly appreciate your patience and continued support.' It's believed the group will be demanding compensation from the council or the Trump Organisation. Advertisement David Wallace, the chairman of Belhelvie Community Council, told how he has no issues with the upheaval. He said 'We don't have a problem with the closure. 'He is the President of America and we understand the need for increased security. 'Not everyone here is anti-Trump. He has spent millions on the golf course. We've always supported and appreciated what he's done here.' Advertisement Rachel Teare, 43, visits the country park with kids Flynn, 3, Jasper, 9, and dog Maisie several times a week. She said: 'We love it. We even come here in the snow. We can park for free and the kids can play. It's got everything we need. 'It's a real shame it's closing. I don't know what we're going to do next week.' Trump is set to visit his Aberdeenshire golf course as part of his Scottish visit which kicks off this week. Advertisement Security appeared to be ramping up yesterday as teams worked at the front gate. While 5 Chinook helicopters landed at nearby Aberdeen Airport. Police Scotland refused to comment specifically on Bamedie Country Park being closed. Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said: 'A policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimise disruption. 'The visit will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces as part of mutual aid arrangements.'
The National
7 days ago
- Politics
- The National
US military seen over Aberdeen ahead of Donald Trump visit
Trump will visit his golf courses in [[Aberdeen]]shire and Ayrshire this weekend, between July 25 and 29. Pictures captured by press have shown several aircrafts flying over Torry Battery at the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour on Tuesday. A US army Boeing CH-47F Chinook was registered on FlightRadar landing at Aberdeen International Airport at 12.26pm, flying from Cambridge at 9.42am. The images show at least five aircrafts at an unknown time. Members of the public can be seen at the Torry Battery site, some with binoculars, watching the aircrafts. The exact itinerary of the president is yet to be shared, with Police Scotland saying it will require the biggest police operation in Scotland since the death of Queen Elizabeth, requiring the force to draw on mutual aid agreements with other forces. Known as Operation Roll, the exact numbers of police involved have not been revealed but it is expected to require Police Scotland's entire cadre of police liaison officers. When is Donald Trump in Aberdeen? Trump will meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney during his private trip. The visit is likely to result in widespread protests, following similar demonstrations during his last visit to Scotland. One visitor centre in Aberdeenshire took to social media to tell followers they have been forced to close amid "restrictions" in the area put in place for the visit. READ MORE: Watch as King Charles confronted by public over royal family costs to taxpayers The Sand Bothy, a voluntary run facility operated by Belhelvie Community Trust, said they will not have access to Balmedie Country Park from July 28 to 30, suggesting Trump will visit his Turnberry golf course in Ayrshire first. A statement from Sand Bothy said: 'We understand this may cause inconvenience for some. We truly appreciate your patience and continued support. 'We have received no additional information beyond what has already been publicly shared. And are therefore unable to comment on the nature or details of the visit.'
