The golf course isn't the problem, it's the houses. Also how the hell is a golf course in Scotland going to be the best in the world?! Is Tiger going to give up his Hollywood lifestyle in the sun for a windswept bit of beach at the tip of Scotland? Hmm I think not.

Alexa Brown, Edinburgh, UK

Bravo Mr Lnklater..and I think R Smith is not too wide of the mark either!

Pansy, Edinburgh,

Are you aware of the massive shortage of hotels in Aberdeen?
this would be a huge benefit for a start, the property market as well in the area is horrendous due to lack of property available
If you want sand dunes go about 10 minutes further down the coast. The oil won't last forever either

Graeme, Aberdeen,

It has long been obvious that Magnus Linklater is always wrong about everything. In this case he is wickedly so. The construction of this horror would be a hideous crime. Go to Florida, or Baja California, to see the tragic homogenization of many unique, irreplaceable habitats in the name of GOLF

Tom, Birmingham, England

Are you seriously claiming that a new golf course is progress?

david, ely,

Unbelievable ignorance from ML!
We are NOT something separate to the ecology of the planet. We are part of it. Damaging it in any way damages a part of us.
And it's never about "a dotterel's nest". It's about a global eco-system that is interconnected in ways we can barely comprehend.

Rob Best, Northumberland,

The SSSI is a relatively small area of land which Trump could easily spare from development. What is the point in designating such an area if people such as Trump are then allowed to build there? This should not be an "us and them" situation - a suitable compromise needs to be reached.

Steven, Aberdeen, UK

Go Trump!!!

I very much doubt he would anything as trivial as birds nests to stop him...

Donald just please no gold on this one, is a little tacky!

jamiesim, London,

What a pathetic argument. Does the area need jobs changing bed sheets? No, there's virtually no unemployment in the area. Do we need 2 more golf courses? No, golf course membership is declining. Do we need curlew, the lapwing, the redshank, the dotterel? More than I suspect you could ever know.

Duncan, Inverness , Scotland

I visited the site last weekend. It is special and beautiful and i can go to enjoy it at any time. Trump says he wants to make something special. But it's special already! Once he's done, I won't be able to go there any more, and it won't be what I consider special. I say no.

Norman, Anstruther, UK

Interesting that you've focused on the golf course - such a tiny little thing...
The main reason for anguish regarding this development is the 1000 "luxury homes" and fantoosh hotel, which would have a far greater environmental impact, and yet do little or nothing to benefit the local economy.

Gill Philip, Bologna, Italy

Don't agree with Magnus at all. The dunes complex here really is irreplaceable and has high nature and scenic value. This, after all, is why it is protected.

Trump's project is really a massive property development with a golf course attached.

Alan, Moray,

Jealousy and servitude are issues here. Trump jets in then jets out while locals get by on close to the minimum wage. But a job is a job in remote places especially when the worthy and correct want to stop everything. Tourism means poverty for most. Proper employment all year would be a god send.

Boris , London, United Kingdom

Trump the arch capitalist, why doesn't he take a minimum
of ecological guidance - before offering his anti-erosion
"gift" to these important and unspoilt dunes.
I say this as a golfer, ecologist, and conservationist.
New courses need environmental justification, and not
coastal heritage.

keith Corbett, Whangapararaoa, New Zealand

As you say when the cranes moved in the wildlife moved out

stevegravesend, gravesend,

Golf seems a fairly benign sport when compared to off road 4x4 larks and other machine centred destruction. Perhaps it is the politics and the bulwarks of morality that are at stake here. Heady socialist ideals born in the 1950s continue to be stoutly defended. He will have a fight on his hands.

Colin , Llandingat Without, Rural Wales

As a Scot, I hope Mr Trump is successful but he is dealing with individuals who usually mask their envy of the rich behind social concern / social justice issues or, in this case, behind 'concern' for the environment.

Its one of the reasons many Scots leave Scotland never to return.

R Smith, Abu Dhabi , UAE

Ken, I take it you don't like golfers then?

rikki, Moscow,

Congratulations Magnus.
<br/>
<br/>This needed to be said to establish a modicum of rationality
<br/>to a debate that has taken on the appearance of a vendetta.
<br/>Nature is is resilient and this 'threat' appears modest: Dornoch, Carnoustie, St. Andrews (7), Muirfield et all seem OK

John Gilmore, Montreal, Quebec

To Gordon McLeod:
I'm fairly sure that Donald Trump doesn't buy or sell second hand cars and doesn't plan to build a second hand golf course either.
While it may be ghastly as Magnus suggests - it's a
matter of taste - and it seems to create a net unless you're one
of Magnus' acronyms. _ _ _ _

John Gilmore, Montreal, Quebec

Golfers are amongst the silliest and most selfish members of the human race, but Trump really does have a vision, and if he was able to turn this relatively small patch of barren land into a world-class golfing destination such as Gleneagles he would be doing Scotland a great service.

Ken, Bexleyheath, UK

Would you buy a second hand car from Donald Trump?

Gordon McLeod, Chester,