Former President Donald Trump arrived in Scotland this morning, on his first visit to the UK since 2019 amid ongoing legal battles.
Mr Trump landed at Aberdeen International Airport at around 11.30am on Monday morning after saying on Truth Social - the social media platform he owns - that he will be opening a "spectacular" second course at the controversial Menie Estate in the north-east.
As he touched down on board his private Boeing 757 jet, nicknamed Trump Force One, he was met by two pipers, a red carpet and a 10-vehicle motorcade.
Following his time in Scotland, he will head to his course in Doonbeg on Ireland's west coast. Mr Trump was greeted by two pipers, a red carpet and a 10-vehicle motorcade after landing in Dyce.
Despite the visit, Mr Trump, who is running for the White House again in 2024 and is seen by many as the presumptive Republican nominee, said his campaign is "on my mind", stressing that a victory for him would make America "greater than ever before".
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Former US president Donald Trump arrives in his private jet at Aberdeen International Airport, in Dyce, Aberdeen, ahead of his visit to the course at Trump International Golf Links Aberdeen. (PA)Mr Trump had previously spent two days at his Turnberry course while in office in 2018, meeting Theresa May and the Queen during the visit.
Asked last week if he will meet Mr Trump, who has made controversial statements about Muslims in the past, First Minister Humza 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."
On his Truth Social app, Mr Trump, 76, said: "Will be leaving for Scotland & Ireland soon in order to see and inspect my great properties there.
"The golf courses and hotels are among the Greatest in the World - Turnberry and Aberdeen, in Scotland, and Doonbeg, in Ireland.
"Will be meeting with many wonderful friends, and cutting a ribbon for a new and SPECTACULAR Second Course in Aberdeen.
"Very exciting despite the fact that it is 'make America great again' that is on my mind, in fact, America will be greater than ever before."
Donald Trump owns Turnberry, a historic Scottish golf resort (PA)The Menie Estate development is controversial with locals and caused an outcry among some when planning permission was granted in 2019 by Aberdeenshire Council.
Trump's relationship with Scotland has been fractious. His mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, hailed from the Outer Hebrides and was born in 1912 in Stornoway.
It previously prompted the ex-president to later declare: "I think I do feel Scottish."
However, his visits to his golf courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire have prompted protests from locals outraged at his past comments about immigration and women.
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Mr Trump's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in 1912 in Stornoway.
The tycoon's trip to Scotland comes as he faces legal trouble in his native New York over his business practices. He has pleaded not guilty to charges of falsifying business records to hide damaging information ahead of the 2016 presidential election.
The charges related to hush money payments paid to pornstar Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen MacDougal.
Former columnist E Jean Carroll, 79, has also sued Trump for allegedly sexually assaulting her in a Manhattan department store in 1996.
Mr Trump completely denies the accusations.
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