An irate neighbour whose land borders Donald Trump's controversial Aberdeenshire golf course is flying the Mexican flag in protest at the would-be president's opinions.

David Milne, whose land is surrounded by Mr Trump's golf course at Menie, said he raised the banner in support of those who had been "intimidated and insulted" by the Republican presidential candidate.

Mr Trump wants to build a wall between the USA and Mexico to stop immigrants crossing the border.

If elected president, he claims he will even try and force the Mexican government to pay for the building of the wall.

The billionaire tycoon tried to buy Mr Milne's house, which is a former coastguard's cottage, during the development of Trump International.

After Mr Milne refused, Mr Trump's staff first built a six-metre high earth bank which blocked out the view from Mr Milne's picturesque cottage.

The Herald:

And the tycoon's staff then planted a row of tall spruce trees close to the boundary between the golf resort and Mr Milne's land.

Asked why he was flying the red, white and green Mexican flag, Mr Milne said: "It's just to show solidarity with the Mexican people and anyone else Trump has decried, insulted, intimidated and lied about primarily during his campaign.

"And it's also to show solidarity with all he people he has tried to harass and point out we are still here and not going anywhere.

"He's tried to buy our land but it's not going to happen. The property is not for sale and never has been for sale."

During the Republican presidential candidate debates last year, Mr Trump said: "We're going to do a wall; we're going to have a big, fat beautiful door on the wall; we're going to have people come in, but they're going to come in legally."

He had earlier caused outcry after suggesting Mexicans who crossed over into America were rapists and criminals.

He said: "When Mexico sends its people, they're not sending their best. They're sending people that have lots of problems, and they're bringing those problems with us.

"They're bringing drugs. They're bringing crime. They're rapists. And some, I assume, are good people."

Mr Milne said: "They built an earth bank - to block our view of the course and block us from being viewed by the course.

"The bank around us was six metres high and 70 metres in length.

"They then decided to plant trees instead. They were planted right on our boundary line."

Fellow anti-Trump protester Michael Forbes is also flying a Mexican flag on his property.

He also refused to sell his land to Mr Trump when the golf course was being built.

A picture of Mr Milne's Mexican flag has been posted on the Tripping Up Trump Facebook group by Sue Edwards, a fellow campaigner.

Sue said: "He usually flies the saltire but now he flies the saltire and the Mexican flag.

"Mr Trump has planted loads of trees in front of David's house so he can't see.

"I believe it's to hint that Trump has tried to block them out and tried to hide them away in his usual charming way.

"It's obviously done because Trump is coming. I'm not surprised at all. I don't blame them."

"Unusual flag beside the golf course."

The photo has so far been shared 92 times and features comments including: "Haha. Viva Mexico. I love it" and "Hasta la vista Donaldo chico".

Tripping Up Trump is a campaign group "helping protect the local people and environment threatened by Donald Trump's development in Aberdeenshire".

It has more than 3,700 members and features news and updates about both Mr Trump and his golf development at Menie.

The golf resort has caused major controversy since it was given the green light in 2008.

Trump International opened in 2012 with the tycoon teeing off the first hole alongside golfer Colin Montgomerie.

But local residents and environmentalists were opposed from the start.

They said the development would ruin the landscape at a unique, protected area which is a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

There was also controversy over the tactics used to persuade residents to sell their land to Trump for the project.