Trump Expands Golf Empire in Scotland Amid Praise and Protest
Donald Trump has once again made waves in Scotland—but this time, it's not for politics or controversy, at least not in the usual way. The former U.S. president was in Aberdeenshire to officially open a brand-new golf course on his Menie Estate, with a full ceremonial flair—bagpipes, red ribbons, and a crowd of guests that included none other than Scotland's First Minister, John Swinney.
During the ribbon-cutting event, Trump went out of his way to compliment Swinney, calling him a “very special guy” who loves golf and appreciates the people of Scotland. This seemingly warm interaction, however, was viewed by some as a strategic move, especially given the Scottish government's ongoing support for Ukraine and its opposition to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza—issues Swinney said he raised during private talks with the former president. The First Minister also urged Trump to advocate for U.S. tariff exemptions on Scotland’s whisky and salmon exports, calling it a “window of opportunity.”
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Beyond diplomacy, Trump's main focus appeared to be golf—and business. His latest course, branded as part of the “greatest 36 holes in golf,” marks a further expansion of his holdings in the UK. In recent years, he's also been pushing hard for his Turnberry resort to host major golf tournaments, despite ongoing logistical challenges. While The Open remains unlikely to return there anytime soon, industry chatter suggests the Scottish Open might soon shift west from its current home at the Renaissance Club—possibly giving Turnberry the spotlight Trump has long desired.
Interestingly, the European Tour Group (formerly the European Tour) has quietly aligned itself with Trump properties, with the Legends Tour and the Nexo Championship both set to play at his Aberdeen venue this year. Despite past controversies surrounding Trump, these moves have passed with barely a whisper of backlash. Even public funding—reportedly around £180,000—has been granted by the Scottish government to support these tournaments, stirring debate over whether this is a smart investment in sport or a soft endorsement of Trump.
Amidst it all, Trump didn’t shy away from nostalgic sentiment. He spoke fondly of his Scottish roots, referencing his mother’s birthplace in the Outer Hebrides and even recalling how the late Sean Connery once supported his golf development. “Let the bloody bloke build his golf course,” Connery had said, a quote Trump proudly repeated.
While Trump’s visit did draw some protests, he was largely left to enjoy his rounds in peace. The real question now is whether his presence—and his golf empire—will become a permanent fixture in Scotland’s sporting and political landscape. As Trump himself put it before flying back to D.C., “We love Scotland—and Scotland loves us.” Whether everyone agrees is another matter entirely.
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