HIGH-FLYING members of Trump International gathered last Thursday for a ceremony marking the first serious construction work at the Balmedie site.
Trump Organisation Managing Director George Sorial and Vice-President of Trump International Scotland Sarah Malone greeted press and media outlets for what Mr Sorial described as "the first real construction work on site."
The ceremony comes in th
e wake of council approval which was granted on June 29, giving the go-ahead for the first phase of the project, which involves the construction of the golf course and clubhouse facilities.
Mr Trump has described the development as, potentially, "the greatest golf course in the world", and has already invested millions of pounds of his own money.
Meanwhile, Menie residents who have refused to sell their property to Trump International hosted an art exhibition as an alternative venue to express their anger at the site's development.
George Sorial spoke to the Times on behalf of Trump International at the site in the north of the estate, which has been freshly levelled and gravelled in preparation for building to take place.
"It's a great day for us, for our supporters, and for everyone who lives in the north east," he said. "The first element of construction will be this compound, which will be an effective base of operations.
"It's the first construction work that has been undertaken which requires planning permission, so it is a pretty major milestone for us."
Joking about the art exhibition at the Forbes' residence, Mr Sorial said that, "an art exhibition is at least constructive."
"Our door remains open to reasonable negotiations," he said. "But none seem to be forthcoming."
Pressed on whether compulsory purchase orders would be used against the hold-out residents, he said that the matter "was one for the authorities."
Project design and Development Director Joshua Seidner told the Times that the course would be constructed to the highest standards and specifications, and that he would be supervising the construction to make sure that this remained the case.
"My job is to organise and supervise the construction of the course, and maintain control over the standards. Trump International has a reputation to uphold, and I will be here once a month to make sure everything is being done correctly.
"Construction of the golf course itself won't be affected by the individuals who don't want to sell to us. Our first priority is to construct the course and the golfing facilities.
"The other elements of the project will be phased in over the course of the coming years."
As the outdoors press conference was underway on the north side of Menie, opponents of the project held their own counter-publicity operation in the south at Michael Forbes' farm which was described last month as "a slum" by the American billionaire.
'Tripping Up Trump supporters' gathered to view artworks by emergent artist David McCue, which included portraits and caricatures of Mr Trump, and a series of activities for visitors to take part in on the theme of forced eviction.
