Aberdeen hotel boss awarded membership of Trump golf resort

HOTEL owner Stewart Spence has been made an honorary member of Donald Trump’s golf resort at the Menie Estate.

The Marcliffe at Pitfodels, in Aberdeen was given a “lifetime” entitlement to use facilities at the Menie Estate resort, where two golf courses will be built.

Mr Spence was given membership number 001.

The only other honorary member at the resort – expected to be pay-and-play – is Sir Sean Connery, another supporter of the £750 million plan.

The legendary actor was awarded membership number 007, recognising his most famous role as the superspy James Bond.

The revelation is made in Chasing Paradise, a new book about the development by Evening Express reporter David Ewen.

Mr Spence, a member at Royal Aberdeen, said if the moment he was told about the membership: “I organised a dinner for Donald junior to meet business local people.

“He stood up to make a speech and said ‘I have a gift from my father’.”

Mr Spence has welcomed the decision by Robert Gordon University to award Mr Trump an honorary degree next week.

The hotelier, who received a similar degree earlier this year, said: “For someone who is going to bring so much to this region he is absolutely deserving of it.”