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Trump Opens New Luxury Golf Course in Scotland
BALMEDIE, Scotland — On July 29, 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump officially inaugurated Trump International Golf Links, a brand-new 18‑hole championship links course located near Aberdeen in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. Designed by his son Eric Trump, the course is named in honor of Trump’s Scottish heritage and his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis.
The opening ceremony featured a bagpipe procession and fireworks. Trump used golden scissors to cut a red ribbon before joining Eric Trump, Donald Trump Jr., and two professional golfers to tee off on the first hole. The foursome played a full 18 holes following the ceremony.
The course will shortly host a PGA Seniors Championship event before offering rounds to the public from August 13, 2025.
Merging Diplomacy with Business
Trump’s visit combined his business interests with diplomatic engagements. During the trip, he met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, holding talks at his Turnberry resort and advancing U.S.–UK and U.S.–EU trade frameworks. Scottish First Minister John Swinney was also present, leading to criticism over £180,000 in public funds being allocated to support the event at Trump’s site.
Critics raised concerns about conflicts of interest and the use of official visits for promotion of private business. Trump’s embrace of brand-focused diplomacy reflects a shift from his earlier presidency, where he had attempted partial divestment from his business assets.
Economic Boost or Environmental Burden
While the Trump family heralds the resort as delivering jobs, tourism, and economic growth, local and environmental groups have been vocally opposed. Critics argue the project caused irreversible damage to the Foveran Links sand dunes, a former Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) withdrawn in 2020 due to destruction during construction.
Environmental scientists have dismissed the course’s sustainability claims as “laughable,” pointing to ecosystem harm and habitat loss for species like otters and deer.
Financial Performance and Challenges
Despite its prestige, Trump International Golf Links has consistently posted financial losses. In 2022, the course lost approximately $938,000, and in 2023 it reported a loss of £1.4 million—its eleventh consecutive unprofitable year, with cumulative deficits exceeding £16 million. Company filings also mention overdue financial statements and substantial loans owed by Donald Trump.
Public Response
Opinion in Scotland remains sharply divided. Nationally, around 70% of Scots would prefer Trump not visit, with protests staged in cities such as Aberdeen and Edinburgh. Yet in communities surrounding Trump’s courses, some locals appreciate the economic benefits and tourism the resorts brought to previously struggling regions.
In Summary
Trump’s new golf course in Scotland represents a high-profile blend of luxury branding, diplomacy, and personal legacy. Standing as the third Trump golf property in Scotland—alongside earlier developments at Turnberry (2014) and the original Menie Links (2012)—the venture demonstrates significant investment in Scottish golf, yet comes with environmental controversy, public scrutiny, and ongoing financial losses.
Whether viewed as visionary redevelopment or corporate overreach, the opening of the MacLeod course – part of the “greatest 36 holes in golf” – underscores Trump’s unwavering focus on his international golf empire and branding.
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Article written and configured by Christopher Stanley
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