Scottish airport told to expect US President Donald Trump to fly in

The visit by US president Donald Trump is thought to coincide with the opening of his new golf course

Aberdeen Airport has been told to expect Donald Trump to fly in to open a new golf course nearby, The Scotsman has learned.

The US president is thought likely to arrive aboard the presidential helicopter Marine One, having transferred from Air Force One, his main aircraft, perhaps at Prestwick Airport in Ayrshire.

Donald Trump arriving at Aberdeen Airport in 2023 | Andy Buchanan/AFP/Getty

Mr Trump has already been invited by the King to Balmoral during his State visit, which is expected to be in September.

He attended a ceremony to break ground on the new 18-hole course on the Menie estate on the coast north of Aberdeen two years ago, flying in to the city’s airport.

It may be named the MacLeod course after his Lewis-born mother, Mary Anne MacLeod. However, Mr Trump did not mention Scotland when he talked about the State visit last week.

One source said Sarah Malone, executive vice-president at Trump International Scotland, hoped Mr Trump would be in attendance for the official opening of the resort's new course later this year.

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Another source said: “He’s still got it in his calendar that he’s coming.”

A third source said they expected Mr Trump to visit at some point, but were unaware of exact timings.

It is understood Aberdeen Airport may only be given three or four days’ notice of Mr Trump’s arrival, but US officials are believed to have already been in touch with staff there.

Details of a possible further visit by Mr Trump comes six weeks after his son Eric flew into Edinburgh Airport aboard a Trump Organization aircraft to meet First Minister John Swinney to discuss investment in Scotland.

The meeting, described by Eric Trump as “warm and friendly”, came months after he accused the Scottish Government of making it “virtually impossible” to do business in Scotland.