Social media has widely circulated a compelling narrative about Molly Forbes, a Scottish woman who, at 92, famously defied Donald Trump’s efforts to acquire her property for his golf course development in Aberdeenshire. These posts claim she steadfastly refused to sell her farmhouse, even in the face of alleged retaliatory measures, until her passing at 96. While the core of this resistance is true and well-documented, a deeper examination reveals a nuanced story, blending accurate historical accounts with unverified embellishments.

The saga began in 2006 when business mogul Donald Trump purchased the sprawling Menie Estate north of Aberdeen, Scotland. His ambitious vision for the coastal property included constructing two championship golf courses, a luxury hotel, and various amenities. This grand development necessitated acquiring adjacent lands, putting him in direct contact with long-standing local residents like Molly Forbes and her son, Michael Forbes.

However, the Forbes family, along with several other neighbors, staunchly refused to sell their ancestral properties. Their resistance was multifaceted, driven not only by personal attachment but also by profound environmental concerns regarding the potential damage the golf course development could inflict on the delicate ecosystem of the sand dunes, which held significant ecological importance.

Initially, the Aberdeenshire council committee rejected Trump’s golf course proposal, citing these environmental impacts. Yet, the Scottish government intervened, ultimately granting approval on the grounds that the perceived economic benefits outweighed the environmental harm. Following this decision, the Trump Organization intensified its efforts to persuade or compel residents, including the Forbeses, to sell their land, even considering compulsory purchase orders.

A particularly contentious incident occurred in 2010 when workers constructing a road for the golf course fractured a water pipe supplying the Forbeses’ home. Despite initial acknowledgment, the pipe, located on Trump’s property, was never fully repaired by the resort. For over five years, Molly Forbes and her son Michael Forbes lived without a reliable water source, relying on buckets from a nearby well and bottled water, until Michael took it upon himself to repair the pipe in 2016.

The Forbeses’ unwavering stand against the Trump Organization gained significant attention, extensively documented in the British press and through two critically acclaimed documentaries directed by journalist Anthony Baxter. These films captured the essence of the land dispute, highlighting the residents’ plight and the legal battles they faced, making their story a symbol of local resistance against powerful developers.

While the social media posts accurately reflect the Forbeses’ refusal to sell and the documented water supply issues, they often include unverified claims. For instance, Molly Forbes did not own the farmhouse; it belonged to her son, Michael Forbes, though she resided there. Furthermore, claims of Trump ordering 24/7 floodlights or cutting power to the property are not substantiated by evidence within the documentaries or reliable press reports, suggesting an exaggeration of certain retaliatory measures.

In summary, the narrative of the 92-year-old Scottish woman resisting Donald Trump’s advances for his Aberdeenshire golf course is rooted in truth. The Forbes family did indeed refuse to sell their property, enduring significant challenges, including a prolonged lack of reliable water. This persistent land dispute underscores the complex interplay between powerful development interests and local community resilience, a story that continues to resonate as the second golf course prepares to open in 2025 and the sand dunes have been delisted as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.