Trump International Golf Links, Scotland

In 2006, Trump purchased a 1,400-acre (570-hectare) plot just north of Aberdeen at Menie (Balmedie), Scotland, with the intention of turning it into a £1 billion golf resort and "the world's best golf course" capable of hosting world class events such as The Open Championship.[1] There has been opposition from many people both locally and in other parts of Scotland and the UK, and negative reaction from a number of environmental groups, but the project continues.

The development plan for Trump International Golf Links, Scotland (TIGLS) included two 18-hole courses, a 5-star hotel, golf villas, holiday homes, and a golf academy. It was strongly supported by local business leaders[2] but met opposition from local residents, campaigners and environmental groups anxious to preserve the 4,000-year-old sand dunes that are designated an SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest). By 2019, as the campaigners had feared, the dune system had been "partially destroyed" by the developments, and as of 2020, the dunes were expected to lose their SSSI status because of the degradation of the site. [3][4][5]

Though the development was recommended for approval by Aberdeenshire Council officials[6] the development was initially rejected by a local subcommittee of elected members. However it was subsequently approved following a controversial planning inquiry ordered by the Scottish Government in June 2008, at which Trump personally testified. Work began on the site in July 2010.[7]

In March 2009, the Trump Organization had asked the Council to use its powers of compulsory purchase to acquire some areas of land at Balmedie not forming part of the original TIGLS site for which planning permission already existed. These included four family-owned properties.[8] In response local campaigners established Tripping Up Trump, a movement aimed at protecting the families at Menie being threatened with eviction. When it emerged at the end of January 2011 that Queen guitarist Brian May had agreed to the use of the band's song "Bohemian Rhapsody" in a film highlighting the plight of the families, Trump appeared to deny in a media statement that there had ever been an eviction threat, declaring "we have no interest in compulsory purchase and have never applied for it."[9]

In September 2011, the Trump Organization lodged a formal objection to the proposed construction of a wind farm off the Aberdeenshire coast not far from the site of the new hotel and luxury housing. Donald Trump also wrote personally to the First Minister of Scotland protesting mainly on aesthetic grounds at the proposed erection of offshore wind turbines, which he characterized as 'ugly'. His letter claimed that he was protesting on behalf of the Scottish people, 'not... merely for the benefit of Trump International Golf Links.'[10] The Organization's subsequent lawsuit failed[11] as did the appeal.[12]

In 2011, a documentary directed by Anthony Baxter called You've Been Trumped[13] was released, showing the situation of local residents adversely affected by the resort's construction. It contains footage of, among others, economists who query the benefits claimed for the local economy, environmentalists critical of the damage allegedly caused by the development and golfers who voice doubts about claims made for the resort by the Trump Organization.[14] It also shows Anthony Baxter being arrested by a Grampian Police officer, while filming; he was later released without charge.[15] Baxter has been quoted as saying that Trump branded the film 'boring' and Baxter himself 'a fraud'.[16] However, the film has won several awards including the Hamptons Film Festival Social Justice Award and the Maysles Brothers Award for best documentary at the Denver Film Festival.

The course opened on July 10, 2012.[17]

Despite Trump's threat to withdraw any further investment in Scotland amid the wind turbine controversy, he later purchased the prestigious Turnberry resort in Ayrshire in April 2014.[18]

By 31 December 2018 the accounts reveal an overall expenditure on assets to date of £33,659,179. During the year there had been an operating loss of £866,991 and loss before tax of £1,077,504.[19] This loss represented a small improvement on the previous year (2017), when it made a loss of around £1,250,000.[19] The number of employees had reduced from 84 during 2017 to 77 in 2018.[19] The shareholders' deficit increased by just over £1,000,000 to £11,725,897.

For 31 December 2019 the accounts reveal an overall asset value of £32,071,221. During the year there had been an operating loss of £896,367 and loss before tax of £1,105,763. This loss represented a further decline on the previous year (2018).[20] The number of employees rose back up to 84 during 2019 from 77 in 2018. The shareholders' deficit again increased by over £1M to £12,783,441.

Aberdeenshire Council granted planning approval for a second golf course on the Menie site, to be named the MacLeod Course after Donald Trump's mother Mary Anne MacLeod, in October 2020.[21]

The coat of arms granted to "The Trump International Golf Club Scotland Ltd" in 2011 bears the battle cry: "Nunquam Concedere".

In 2008, Trump promoted the golf course with a coat of arms that he had used for his American businesses, but was warned by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the highest authority for Scottish heraldry, that a Scottish law disallows the use of unregistered arms. In January 2012, shortly after the inauguration of the golf course, Trump unveiled a new coat of arms that had been granted to "The Trump International Golf Club Scotland Ltd" by the Lord Lyon in 2011.[22][23]

A spokesperson for the golf course said that "the coat of arms brings together visual elements that signify different aspects of the Trump family heritage [...], the Lion Rampant [in the crest] makes reference to Scotland and the stars to America. Three chevronels are used to denote the sky, sand dunes and sea—the essential components of the site, and the double-[headed] Eagle represents the dual nature and nationality of Trump's heritage (Scottish and German). The Eagle clutches golf balls making reference to the great name of golf, and the motto Numquam Concedere is Latin for Never Give Up—Trump's philosophy".[23]

The same coat of arms was later used for the Trump International Golf Links and Hotel Ireland.[24][25]

• Donald Trump and golf

• Trump International Golf Links, Scotland