| Balmedie | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Baile Mheadhain | |
Sand dunes at Balmedie |
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Balmedie
Balmedie shown within Aberdeenshire |
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| Population | 1,653 [1] (2001 census) est. 2,230[2] (2006) |
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| OS grid reference | NJ965178 |
| Parish | Belhelvie |
| Council area | Aberdeenshire |
| Lieutenancy area | Aberdeenshire |
| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ABERDEEN |
| Postcode district | AB23 |
| Dialling code | 01358 |
| Police | Grampian |
| Fire | Grampian |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
| UK Parliament | Gordon |
| Scottish Parliament | Gordon |
| List of places: UK • Scotland • | |
Balmedie is a rapidly growing village in Aberdeenshire in Scotland. It lies north of the city of Aberdeen, in the civil parish of Belhelvie. The long and wide beach of clean golden sand is bordered by an extensive dune system that stretches 14 miles (23 km) from Aberdeen to just north of the Ythan Estuary at Newburgh. The dunes are a substantial area of stable grassland where the principal vegetation is marram grass. They support a large array of wildlife. Two watercourses make their way to the sea within the area creating ribbons of wetland vegetation along their course. The area lies within the Sands of Forvie Site of Special Scientific Interest, the fifth largest sand dune system in Britain.[3]
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The village facilities include a primary school, a small library and a sports centre. Shops include a small supermarket, a pharmacy, a fish and chip shop and a convenience store/post office. Other services include a car mechanic, a cafe/gallery and the White Horse Inn Hotel, Bar and Restaurant. In 2007 Barratt Developments established its Barratt Homes North Scotland headquarters in Balmedie. Stagecoach East Scotland provides 'Bluebird' bus services linking Balmedie to Aberdeen, Ellon, Fraserburgh and Peterhead.There are four small play parks in Balmedie there are also two full sized football pitches where amateur side Trophies International play their home matches.
The Country Park provides amenities within the dunes for visitors, including parking, toilets, wooden walkways across the sands and streams, picnic areas with barbecues, and a swing park with a fishing theme for children. The park is often used by horse riders as a starting / finishing point for beach rides and there is plenty of room to park a horsebox or trailer.[4]
Local people use the beach more than anyone for walks or jogging in the fresh air. The dunes are wonderful places for finding a sunny and sheltered spot to read in, or sunbathe on a fair day, or for games of hide and seek.[5]
The park is open during the hours of daylight every day of the year. Over the years the beach has won a number of awards.
There is an unofficial naturist area on the beach, a stretch of the beach behind the Blackdog Firing Range, Google Maps. Access can be gained by walking down the beach towards Aberdeen from the Balmedie Country park car park, or by access through the firing range. Range in use is designated by Red Flags flying in various areas around the range. Naturism Balmedie, Official British Naturism Website
Menie House is a grand 14th century country property surrounded by over 200 acres (0.81 km2) of private land, collectively known as the Menie Estate. It was formerly owned by Sandra and Tom Griffin. American billionaire Donald Trump purchased a large part of the estate in 2006. He proposes to build an extensive development there, including two 18-hole golf courses, a 450-room hotel, conference centre and spa, 36 golf villas, 950 holiday homes, accommodation for 400 staff and residential developments comprising 500 houses. Although this would substantially damage habitat at a Site of Special Scientific Interest, according to analysis by Scottish Natural Heritage[6][7], planning officials from Aberdeenshire Council have recommended approval of the development[8][9]. The current Baron of Menie is notable film and television aviation consultant Michael Woodley, best known for his role as aerial coordinator in numerous James Bond films. He succeeded to the title in 1995 through grant of arms.
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