Trump Hopes to Visit Scotland as Part of UK Trip
President Trump has expressed his hope to visit Scotland during his upcoming trip to Britain, which is expected to take place in September. In an interview with The Times, Trump confirmed that he had been invited by King Charles III for a second state visit, and that Scotland was being considered as a potential destination.
According to The Times, Trump’s second state visit to the UK is likely to focus on Windsor Castle in Berkshire, but Scotland is also being discussed as a possible part of his itinerary. When asked if he would visit Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, which is located on the Menie estate, Trump replied: "I will be there – I hope to be there." The golf course is situated just over an hour’s drive east of Balmoral, the royal family’s Highland estate.
The visit to the golf course may coincide with the grand opening of a second 18-hole course, named the MacLeod course after Trump’s Scottish mother, Mary MacLeod, who was born in Lewis. Trump told The Times: "We’re opening a fantastic project there and I hope I’m going to get to see it. It’s going to be great." This development has sparked interest in Scotland’s potential role in Trump’s UK visit.
As reported by The Times, Balmoral was raised as a potential venue for Trump to prepare for his second state visit, following a personal letter from King Charles III that was handed to Trump by Sir Keir Starmer in the Oval Office in February. The King also suggested an alternative potential trip to his Dumfries House residence in Ayrshire, south of Glasgow. Discussions are ongoing between the White House, Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace to determine a precise date and locations for the state visit.
The main venue for the state visit is expected to be Windsor Castle, 25 miles west of central London. Trump told reporters in the Oval Office last week: "I was invited by the King and the country – great country. They’re going to do a second, as you know, a second fest… that’s what it is: a fest, and it’s beautiful, and it’s the first time it’s ever happened to one person." As The Times previously reported, this will be an unprecedented invitation for a US president.
In a meeting with Prime Minister Starmer, King Charles III’s invitation was formally extended to Trump. According to The Times, Sir Keir Starmer delivered the King’s invitation during a visit to the White House in February. With the visit expected to take place in September, it remains to be seen whether Scotland will be included in Trump’s itinerary. One thing is certain, however: Trump’s visit will be closely watched by both the UK and US governments.
As noted by The Times, Trump has expressed his respect for the British royal family, stating: "I’m a friend of Charles, I have great respect for King Charles and the family, William, we have really just a great respect for the family. I think they’re setting a date for September." With ongoing discussions between the White House, Downing Street, and Buckingham Palace, further details of Trump’s visit are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
