News Summary
Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Scotland for four days, touring his golf resorts. Local residents express ongoing concerns about his business practices and the promises made regarding job creation and economic impact. Despite Trump’s planned inauguration of a new course, mixed opinions prevail among locals, and protests are anticipated due to dissatisfaction with his history in the area.
Balmedie, Scotland – Donald Trump is set to return to Scotland for a four-day visit beginning on July 25, 2025. The former U.S. president will tour his golf resorts in Turnberry and Balmedie, where he plans to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on July 28 to discuss a recent U.S.-U.K. trade deal. However, local residents express ongoing concerns about Trump’s business practices, with many describing him as a bad neighbor.
Michael Forbes, a retired quarry worker and local resident, has been vocal about his resentment towards Trump, stating that the land will “never, ever belong to Trump.” Forbes and various families have resisted Trump’s attempts to purchase their properties for nearly two decades, accusing him of employing bullying tactics to coerce them into selling. Trump’s camp, however, denies these claims.
Residents argue that Trump’s golf resort in Balmedie has not lived up to its ambitious promises regarding job creation and economic development. When Trump announced the golf project, he pledged a $1.5 billion investment and claimed it would generate 1,000 permanent jobs along with thousands of temporary construction jobs. In reality, an analysis revealed that only about 84 jobs have been created since the project began. While a 450-room luxury hotel and numerous homes were purportedly part of the original development, only a 19-room boutique hotel and a small clubhouse have materialized thus far.
In 2023, Trump’s golf course reported a significant financial loss of $1.9 million, marking an alarming 11 consecutive years of fiscal deficits since he acquired the land in 2006. Observations from local residents indicate that the golf course sees sluggish attendance, even during the peak summer season, with fairways often appearing less than half filled.
Despite the widespread criticism, some local residents acknowledge and appreciate the aesthetic improvements that Trump has made, such as transforming dunes into a golf course. However, this sentiment is overshadowed by the broader public opinion in Scotland, where recent surveys reveal that 70% of the population holds an unfavorable view of Trump, making him less popular in Scotland than in other regions of the United Kingdom.
During his visit, Trump is scheduled to inaugurate a new 18-hole course at his property in Balmedie, a venture dedicated to his mother. Anticipating his arrival, the Stop Trump Coalition and other activists have organized protests to showcase their dissatisfaction with Trump’s history and business approach. There are increasing concerns regarding potential vandalism and negative reactions stemming from Trump’s past business practices and controversial political stances.
Historically, Trump’s interactions with local residents have been fraught with tension. Attempts to acquire land from residents have often been accompanied by negative remarks about their properties. Notably, disputes arose between Trump’s workers and Forbes, who alleged that a water pipe on his property was sabotaged, leaving him and his family without access to clean drinking water for five years. Another local resident, David Milne, has resisted multiple offers from Trump to buy his home, citing unreasonably low offers and significant changes to his outlook due to the project.
Since the golf course’s opening in 2012, community members have expressed disappointment due to unfulfilled promises made by Trump. Former members of the Aberdeen council, who initially supported Trump’s development, now express regret due to concerns about environmental degradation linked to the golf project. The dunes where the golf course is located lost their designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 2020, as confirmed by Nature Scot.
Additionally, Trump has been embroiled in legal disputes concerning a nearby wind farm, which he openly opposed. Historically, Trump’s visits to Scotland have sparked criticism and protests, underscoring the complex and often contentious relationship between him and local communities.
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Additional Resources
- USA Today: Trump’s Scotland Golf Resort
- Wikipedia: Donald Trump
- CBS News: Trump’s Scotland Golf Course
- Google Search: Trump golf course Scotland
- The New York Times: Trump Visit to Scotland
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Trade Agreement
- The Washington Post: Trump and Starmer in Scotland
- Google News: Trump visit Scotland
- Press Democrat: Trump’s Trip to Scotland
- Google Scholar: Trump golf course Scotland
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