Two men arrested after huge fire erupts near top Scottish golf course

Emergency services were called to tackle a huge fire which erupted near a top Scottish golf course overnight. 

The blaze broke out on Links Road, near Royal Aberdeen Golf Club, at around 1am, with firefighters at the scene for several hours. 

Crews were made aware of the incident by an eyewitness and quickly rushed to the Bridge of Don area before leaving around 6am this morning. 

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Officers have since confirmed that two males, aged 16 and 25, have been arrested in connection with the incident.  

An eyewitness told Aberdeen Live: “I looked out my window as I usually do to breathe in fresh air and have a moment of peace. 

“To my surprise and panic, I spotted three huge fires, at least in the distance by the river Don. I ran downstairs, grabbed my phone and called 999 to report the fire.” 

A spokesperson from the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service said: “We were alerted at 1.24am on Tuesday, 24 June to reports of a large fire in the open in Aberdeen. 

“Operations Control mobilised four appliances to the city’s Donmouth Road, where firefighters extinguished a fire involving grass and gorse. 

“Crews thereafter left the scene.” 

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A spokesperson at the club has confirmed to bunkered that the links course sustained no damage. 

The historic venue, which claims to be the sixth oldest in the world, is one of the country’s most well-regarded layouts. 

Founded as the Society of Golfers at Aberdeen, it became the Aberdeen Golf Club in 1815 and subsequently received royal patronage in 1903. 

The Balgownie Links is a traditional out and back links which runs along the shore of the North Sea, offering stunning views.

Image credit: Spencer Randall/Aberdeen Live

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Tryst Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.