2 days ago
Ex-Turnberry worker recreates entire estate on Roblox
During President Trump's visit, his Turnberry golf resort in Ayrshire is closed to the public. However, there is one way in which people may be able to get a glimpse inside.
A former maintenance worker at Donald Trump's hotel has painstakingly recreated the entire estate online using the Roblox gaming platform.
From the intricate coving on the ballroom ceiling to the detailed pattern of the hallway carpet, Alistair Kidd, 42, has spent more than 2,000 hours building the estate online.
Kidd, who previously worked for the British Army, spent six years working at the Trump estate and began recreating it after teaching himself how to use Roblox so he could help his children with their own projects.
• John Swinney attacked over taxpayers' support for Trump golf course
He said: 'Everyone that I've shown it to were extremely interested and impressed with the detail, including former employees recognising back-of-house areas and commenting on the accuracy.
'I wouldn't be able to guess that. I know there are a lot of games and experiences that mock Trump, but mine is purely to focus on the building and leave behind any of the politics.'
Despite spending more than three years of his free time on what he has described as a 'personal project', he still has work to do to complete each of the 106 bedrooms and the course's famous lighthouse.
'The ballroom is my pride and joy,' he said. 'No detail spared. Every dado, skirting and coving is, as best I can, exact to the real thing, hence the time it's taking.'
• Anyone for (virtual) tennis? Wimbledon's drive to woo Gen Z
Trump bought the Ayrshire resort in 2014 and carried out an extensive renovation with the ambition of making it 'the finest and most luxurious hotel in all of Europe'.
For the online version of Trump's Ayrshire resort, there has only been one roadblock for its creator: the platform has not allowed him to mention the president as it contravenes its policy on political campaigning.
'I tried to upload an image of the painting that was displayed in the DJT Boardroom but it got flagged and my account was locked out for 24 hours for 'supporting current political candidates'.
'Basically, anything relating to Trump was flagged and not allowed, hence I'm not allowed to name it Trump Turnberry Hotel, as it's called.'
Kidd has positive memories of working for Trump.
• Scotland doesn't want Trump — until you're near his golf course
He said: 'I met him a couple of times, first when the hotel and course was bought and then on his first term visit. I met [his son] Eric more than others as he had a very active role in the renovation being as it fell under him.
'Every time any of the Trumps were there in my time, they always went out of their way to greet and talk with staff and guests and keep any disruption to a minimum.'
He added: 'I take nothing to do with politics, especially another country. As a man, he was sincerely pleasant and friendly in all of our interactions.'
• Turnberry locals on Trump: We love 'Big Donald' and his $50 tips
At the last check there had only been 117 visitors to the online version of Turnberry, mostly friends and family of Kidd.
Would he like Donald Trump to see it?
'I would love for him and Eric to see my project,' he said. 'I don't think they have much time to play Roblox.
'But I think they would appreciate the effort that has gone into the detail and accuracy, especially seeing as he chose most of the interior designs himself.'
