U.S. President Donald Trump recently visited Scotland to unveil a new golf course. But instead of applause, his visit sparked old tensions around his golf empire. The newly built MacLeod Course, part of the Trump International Golf Links near Aberdeen, is set to open in August 2025. It’s named after Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born in Scotland.
While Trump aimed to promote this as a luxury golfing destination, local communities and environmentalists are once again raising their voices.
Protests Echo Trump’s Past Visits
This isn’t the first time Scotland has seen strong backlash during Trump’s visits. In 2018, while he golfed at Turnberry, thousands protested in Edinburgh for three days. Demonstrators surrounded his course, shouting slogans and holding banners that condemned his political views.
Security forces had to set up major operations. There were even snipers on rooftops and probes into protest tactics like paragliders flying anti-Trump banners over his resort.
Groups such as Stand Up To Racism marched with signs like “Love Trumps Hate” and “No to racism, no to Trump,” criticizing his racist and sexist rhetoric.
Land Disputes and Broken Promises
The protests aren’t just about politics. Trump’s clash with local residents has been going on for years, especially around the Menie estate in Aberdeenshire. Some landowners refused to sell their property to the Trump Organization, even as his golf resort expanded nearby.
One such resident, David Milne, expressed frustration, saying, “It’s always second-best to what was there originally… When I came in here, this landscape was untouched … now it’s just a golf course.”
Trump also fought hard to block an offshore wind farm near his golf site, claiming it would spoil the view. But he lost that case in Scotland’s Supreme Court. Afterward, his organization attacked the government’s decision, while Scottish officials criticized Trump for failing to deliver promised investments and jobs.
Political Firestorm and Global Backlash
During his latest trip, activists under the “Stop Trump Coalition” organized fresh protests. These demonstrations weren’t just about local grievances they targeted Trump’s broader political record. Protesters condemned his past policies and even brought up his alleged ties to Jeffrey Epstein, calling out his controversial history.
This kind of widespread opposition has also had real business consequences. So far, none of Trump’s Scottish golf properties—including Turnberry have hosted prestigious tournaments like the British Open. That lack of recognition has limited their financial success and international status.
A Luxury Vision Meets Grassroots Resistance
Although Trump has invested heavily in building world-class golf resorts in Scotland, his efforts have repeatedly run into trouble. Whether it’s protests, legal defeats, or damaged relationships with locals, the backlash continues to overshadow the luxury brand he aims to build.
As the MacLeod Course prepares for its official launch, it remains to be seen if Trump can turn the tide—or if the controversy will continue to haunt his golf dreams in Scotland.
