Michael Forbes (farmer)

Michael Forbes (born circa 1952) is a farmer, part-time salmon fisherman and quarry worker from near Balmedie in Aberdeenshire, Scotland who became known after his refusal to sell his land to billionaire Donald Trump who is planning to build an extensive luxury golf course complex in the area.[1][2] Forbes's farm, which is said by Trump to be in a state of disrepair,[3] has the words "NO GOLF COURSE" painted on a shed.[4]

He attracted media attention in the United States for standing up to Trump. Forbes has insisted that he will "never sell" his land to Trump despite being offered a payment £450,000 in addition to a salary of £50,000 per year for an unspecified job.[5] The plans to build the golf complex were rejected in late November 2007 by Aberdeenshire Council but were later called in by the Scottish Government, who gave approval in November 2008.[6] He has been compared to the beachcomber character in the film Local Hero.[5]

In August 2011, contractors hired by Trump fenced off a piece of land belonging to Forbes [7] despite Forbes having the title deeds.

The Trump organization is now closing in on Forbes's home and have threatened to try to use a compulsory purchase order to forcibly remove him and his family from their land. Trump claimed that Forbes's property was a slum that would spoil the view from his new hotel. Forbes retorted that Trump can "shove his money up his arse."[8] The Tripping Up Trump Campaign[9] have banded together to challenge the Trump organization on this issue.

Forbes and his struggle with Trump features in the award winning documentary You've Been Trumped, directed by Anthony Baxter and produced by Richard Phinney[10]

His portrait with his wife Sheila by Alicia Bruce is held in The National Galleries of Scotland collection[11]

In 2012, Forbes won the 'Top Scot' award at the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards,[12] provoking a strongly worded response from Trump[13][14]

See also

References

  1. ↑ The Scotsman
  2. ↑ Bloomberg.com
  3. ↑ Carrell, Severin (29 December 2008). "Neighbourhood watch - Trump moves in next to 'local hero'". The Guardian (London).
  4. ↑ Scenta.co.uk
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 NY Daily News
  6. ↑ "Trump's £1bn golf resort approved". BBC News. 3 November 2008.
  7. ↑ The Trump Invasion by Tripping up Trump http://vimeo.com/13902686
  8. ↑ Donald Trump: All-American Billionaire, BBC television 28 November 2010
  9. ↑ https://twitter.com/TrippingUpTrump
  10. ↑ http://www.youvebeentrumped.com/youvebeentrumped.com/THE_MOVIE.html
  11. ↑ http://www.nationalgalleries.org/collection/artists-a-z/B/26386/artist_name/Alicia%20Bruce/record_id/22534
  12. ↑ "Donald Trump golf opponent Michael Forbes wins 'Top Scot' award". BBC News. 30 November 2012.
  13. ↑ https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/276064845311406080
  14. ↑ "Donald Trump criticised Glenfiddich over Michael Forbes award". BBC News. 5 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012.