Donald Trump says it's 'great to be home' as he arrives in Aberdeen for first UK visit since 2019
The 76-year-old former US president was met by two pipers, a red carpet and a 10-vehicle motorcade and only spoke a few words to the waiting media as he left the plane.
Monday 1 May 2023 18:23, UK
Former US president Donald聽Trump declared "it's great to be home" as he touched down in Aberdeen before visiting his golf course nearby.
The 76-year-old arrived at the city's airport at about 11.30am and was met by two pipers, a red carpet and a 10-vehicle motorcade. He pumped his fist in trademark fashion as he exited the plane.
The 45th US president has Scottish ancestry on his mother's side and owns several properties in the country.
He left the plane and walked to a waiting car, greeting waiting media, but did not stop to take questions.
Before getting into one of the cars, Trump said: "It's great to be home, this was the home of my mother."
Trump has revealed he was going to the Menie estate site near the city to open a "spectacular" second course dedicated to his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod.
In a statement released by Trump International Scotland, Trump said: "This project is very close to my heart and I am delighted to say that this is our first day of work on the new course It will be dedicated to my late mother and that is a source of great pride to me and my family.
"My mother was an incredible woman who loved Scotland. She returned here every year and she loved The Queen. I got to know The Queen too during my visits here I love Scotland just as much."
His officials have not revealed how long he will stay or whether he will visit his other luxury Scottish course at Turnberry in South Ayrshire.
It is his first trip to the UK since 2019.
Following his time in Scotland, he is expected to head to his course in Doonbeg on Ireland's west coast.
The trip comes after he became the first US president in history to face a criminal trial.
He pleaded not guilty to charges of falsifying business records to hide damaging information ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
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The claims centre around apparent hush money to adult film star, Stormy Daniels.
The Scottish trip also comes as it emerged Trump has requested a mistrial in a civil case where the writer E Jean Carroll is accusing him of rape and defamation, according to a letter from the former president.
In a letter filed early Monday in Manhattan federal court, Trump's lawyer Joe Tacopina cited several alleged errors by the judge, including that it mischaracterised parts of the case and interfered with his ability to defend Trump.
Trump is running for the White House again in 2024 and is seen by many as the presumptive Republican nominee.
He traces his Scottish roots back to the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides.
His mother, Mary Anne Trump, nee MacLeod, lived in the small village of Tong before leaving for the US in 1930, aged 18.
There, she married Fred Trump, and Donald is one of their five children.
Circus follows as pressure at home mounts on Trump
Wherever in the world Donald Trump goes - the cameras, the controversy and the circus follow.
This is a performance where the former president is the star of the show.
Emerging from the back door of his infamous black and red private jet, Trump punched the air as he navigated his way down the steps to greet his Aberdeenshire welcome party.
The sound of the bagpipes was stifled by the jet engines before he mouthed "it's great to be back" to the scrum of awaiting reporters.
This is a nod to his ancestral roots. After all, his mother hails from Scotland's Western Isles.
He stepped inside his secure, blacked-out vehicle and was driven away from the airport tarmac after refusing to answer questions about the criminal claims he faces back home in the US.
This trip to the UK is the first in four years 鈥� but it's personal rather than political. This is about 'brand Trump' and promoting his business.
Trump boasts of owning the best golf courses in the world, but he is a businessman whose Scottish empire is suffering financial problems.
The most recent financial accounts reveal losses of 拢4.4m across his Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire operations.
Secret Service agents are swarming the Menie Estate as ginormous Scottish flags fly high above the resort.
However, it is a far cry from the major security operation in place during his previous visits.
The former president faced a line-up of grinning, fawning staff as he arrived at his country hotel, but locals nearby are far from extending a warm welcome.
It became apparent in the closest town of Balmedie that the mention of the word 'Trump' evokes emotion.
Some hate him and others love him for bringing business to the area.
No one wants to say too much in public for the fear of offending others in the community who think differently.
This fleeting visit to Scotland may be a moment of light relief for Trump as he escapes his troubles at home.
But pressure continues to mount on a former president who hopes to be back in the White House next year.
Scotland's new first minister, Humza Yousaf, was asked last week if he will meet the former US leader, who has previously made controversial statements about Muslims.
Mr Yousaf said: "I would find it difficult, I have to say, to meet with him without raising the significance of concerns I have of the remarks that he's made in the past."