Balmedie
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Balmedie | |
| Scottish Gaelic: Baile Mheadhain | |
  Balmedie shown within Scotland |
|
| Population | est. 2,020 (2004) [1] |
|---|---|
| OS grid reference | |
| Council area | Aberdeenshire |
| Constituent country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | ELLON |
| Postcode district | AB23 |
| Dialling code | 01358 |
| Police | Grampian |
| Fire | Grampian |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| European Parliament | Scotland |
| List of places: UK • Scotland | |
Balmedie is a village, beach and dune system north of the city of Aberdeen in Scotland. 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 Site of Special Scientific Interest, the 5th largest sand dune system in Britain.[1]
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[edit] Balmedie Village
The village facilities include a primary school, a small library and a sports centre. Shops include a small supermarket, a pharmacy, a fish and chips shop and a convenience store/post office. Other services include a hair salon, a car mechanic, a cafe/gallery and the White Horse hotel which has two bars and a 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.
[edit] Balmedie Country Park
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.[2]
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.[3]
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.[citation needed]
[edit] Menie estate
Menie House, a grand 14th century country property surrounded by over 200 acres (0.81 km²) of private land, collectively known as the Menie Estate. 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 native sand dune habitat at a Site of Special Scientific Interest, according to analysis by Scottish Natural Heritage[4][5], planning officials from Aberdeenshire Council have recommended approval of the development[6][7]. The current Baron of Menie is notable film and television avaition 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.
[edit] External links
- ^ SNH. Sands of Forvie and Ythan Estuary SSSI. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ^ Aberdeenshire Council. Balmedie Country Park. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
- ^ Balmedie Beach and Country Park. Retrieved on 2007-05-06.
- ^ The Press and Journal, Aberdeen, Scotland, August 6, 2007, page 3
- ^ wikinews. golfing paradise. Retrieved on 2007-05-05.
- ^ Aberdeen Evening Express, Aberdeen, Scotland, September 12, 2007, page 4
- ^ Trump's £1 billion golf complex wins planners' approval. Retrieved on 2007-10-24.
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