U.S. President Donald Trump begins a significant visit to Scotland this week, marking a return to his mother’s homeland. His arrival is anticipated to elicit a mixed reception, as he faces both political figures and protesters during his stay. The trip, which starts on Friday, will include visits to his two golf resorts in Scotland, highlighting the complex relationship he has with the country of his mother’s birth.
The visit comes just two months before King Charles III is scheduled to host Trump for a formal state visit to the United Kingdom. Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in 1912 near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, situated in the Outer Hebrides off Scotland’s northwest coast. Reflecting on his heritage, Trump stated in 2017, “My mother was born in Scotland — Stornoway, which is serious Scotland.” She immigrated to New York in 1930, part of a wave of emigration from the islands during challenging post-war years. MacLeod married Fred C. Trump, the son of German immigrants, in 1936 and passed away in August 2000 at the age of 88.
Trump’s ties to Scotland are deeply intertwined with his ventures in golf. In 2006, he proposed developing a golf course along a scenic stretch of the North Sea coast north of Aberdeen. The Trump International Scotland development received backing from the Scottish government but faced strong opposition from local residents and conservationists concerned about the impact on local wildlife. Notably, fisherman Michael Forbes became a symbol of resistance after declining an offer of £350,000 (approximately $690,000 at the time) for his family’s farm located at the site, which Trump once disparaged as “a slum and a pigsty.”
Trump remarked in 2008, “If it weren’t for my mother, would I have walked away from this site? I think probably I would have, yes,” indicating the personal connection that influenced his decision to pursue the golf project despite local opposition. Ultimately, the golf course opened in 2012, though many of the ambitious original plans, such as a 450-room hotel and 500 houses, have not materialized, and the course has yet to turn a profit. A second 18-hole course named the MacLeod Course, in honor of his mother, is set to open this summer.
In contrast, Trump’s acquisition of the well-established Turnberry resort in southwest Scotland in 2014 has encountered less controversy. He has actively campaigned to have the British Open return to Turnberry for the first time since 2009. However, organizers have cited logistical challenges, including issues with “road, rail and accommodation infrastructure,” as barriers to hosting the tournament there again.
Trump’s history with Scottish and U.K. politicians has been tumultuous. Over a decade ago, the Scottish government appointed him as an unpaid business adviser within the GlobalScot network, which connects business leaders with ties to Scotland. However, this relationship soured in 2015 after Trump made controversial remarks advocating for a ban on Muslims entering the U.S., leading to the withdrawal of an honorary doctorate from Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen.
During this visit, Trump is scheduled to meet with John Swinney, the Scottish First Minister, who has previously criticized him but stated it is “in Scotland’s interest” to engage with the president. This meeting comes despite some Scots expressing opposition to Trump’s presence, prompting a significant police operation in anticipation of protests. The group Stop Trump Scotland has mobilized demonstrators to gather in Aberdeen to express their discontent.
Additionally, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to meet with Trump during his visit. Starmer has developed a cordial relationship with the president, who recently commented, “I really like the prime minister a lot, even though he’s a liberal.” The discussions between them will likely focus on trade, particularly as Starmer seeks to secure an exemption for U.K. steel from tariffs imposed by Trump.
As Trump navigates this complex landscape of familial ties, business interests, and political relationships, his visit to Scotland serves as a reminder of the enduring connections and controversies that shape his legacy both at home and abroad.
