Donald Trump meets John Swinney for private talks before star-studded golf match on final day of Scotland trip
DON THE COURSE Donald Trump meets John Swinney for private talks before star-studded golf match on final day of Scotland trip
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DONALD Trump has officially opened his new Scottish golf course - his final stop in Scotland before Air Force One departs later today.
Last night he flew from Turnberry to the North East and hosted a private dinner with dignitaries including the Prime Minister, First Minister, and high profile business people.
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Donald Trump has officially opened his new course in Aberdeenshire
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The US President and Sir Keir Starmer after their crunch talks at Turnberry on Monday
Credit: Reuters
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Donald Trump and Keir Starmer wave as they board Air Force One at Prestwick Airport ahead of a flight to north-east Scotland
Mr Trump and Sir Keir landed at Menie aboard Marine One, the president's helicopter, which was seen circling the new course before it touched down on Monday evening.
Before teeing off at Trump International, the US President met with John Swinney for a private one-to-one.
It was the first time the pair have met since they clashed in November last year when the SNP leader called on US voters to back his Democratic rival Kamala Harris in the US Presidential election - leading his UK-based business to slam the endorsement as an 'insult'.
The President opened the 'new course' at Trump International in Menie, just north of Aberdeen, at a 'grand opening' ceremony shortly before 11am.
He thanked his son Eric, who he said had "worked so hard" on creating the New Course at the resort.
Trump International's 'new course' is the second at the venue since the newly named 'old course' opened in 2012.
The new 18 holes measures 7,589 yards - with Trump International now self-styled as the 'greatest 36 holes in golf'.
Mr Trump made a short speech on the first tee of the course before playing a round.
It comes after Mr Trump yesterday hosted an 80-minute televised press conference with the Prime Minister after meeting with Sir Keir Starmer at his other golf course at Turnberry, Ayrshire.
In it, he blasted wind power - slamming wind turbines as 'ugly monsters' - and urged more drilling in the North Sea.
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And he poured cold water on the possibility of a second independence referendum within the next '50 or 75 years'.
He also spoke of his love for Scotland due to his late mother's birthplace being in the Isle of Lewis and said: 'My mother loved Scotland. This is a part of the world I want to see thrive.'
The second course at Trump International is expected to be dedicated to the president's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis.
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