Donald Trump set to visit three Scottish golf courses

On his first visit to Scotland since being elected US president for the second time, Donald Trump is reportedly lining up trips to his three golf courses.

The Mail on Sunday reports that Trump is plotting a Scottish return before the end of July.

And that is set to include a visit to Turnberry, the iconic Ayrshire links which was vandalised by pro-Palestine protestors back in March.

It’s reported that US security services are preparing for Air Force One to land at Prestwick Airport in the final two weeks of next month, with a huge security presence to cope with anticipated protests.

• Sergio Garcia seals Open return

• Tour pro ends ten-year winless drought after ‘tough road’

On Trump’s last presidential visit to Scotland in 2018, thousands of Scots formed protests and similar backlash is expected ahead of the president’s return.

Trump is known to be desperate for The Open to return to Turnberry for the first time since 2009 – but the new R&A chief executive Mark Darbon has said “logistical issues” are a stumbling block.

After purchasing Turnberry in 2014 – five years on from its last staging of The Open – Trump has spent £200m on improvements to its famous Ailsa course.

Meanwhile, Trump is also expected to visit his Trump International course in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire, which will host a new DP World Tour event this summer.

• Meet the trailblazing Scottish golfer hunting glory in Tokyo

• New 12-hole Scottish golf course officially opens

The course, which opened in 2012, will stage the Scottish Championship in August, a $2.75m tournament set to star some of the best players on the Wentworth-based circuit.

Trump is also rumoured to be visiting – and possibly even playing – the new MacLeod course on his property in Aberdeenshire.

The venue – named after his mother Mary Anne MacLeod – is set to be open for play later this summer.