White House confirms Donald Trump to visit Scotland next week
Speaking at a briefing in Washington DC on Thursday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Mr Trump will be at both of his golf courses in Scotland: Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire; between July 25 and 29.
It has already been confirmed Mr Trump will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer while in Aberdeen, while plans are being put in place for the President to meet First Minister John Swinney, according to the Scottish Government.
'President Trump will travel to Scotland, where he will visit both Turnberry and Aberdeen, from July 25 to July 29,' Ms Leavitt told journalists.
'During the visit, President Trump will meet again with Prime Minister Starmer to refine the great trade deal that was brokered between the United States and the United Kingdom.'
US President Donald Trump at his Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire in 2016. (Image: Andrew Milligan) The President will also return to the UK in September for his second state visit.
Ahead of the visit, President Trump told the BBC that the north east of Scotland – the oil and gas capital of Europe – should 'get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil'.
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The US President has long been an opponent of wind farms, objecting to a development off the coast of Aberdeen which can be seen from his course.
John Swinney's meeting will take place despite previous criticism of Mr Trump by the First Minister, including in March, when he said an official state visit should be cancelled over Mr Trump's position on Ukraine.
Trump's trip is expected to last several days and it has been reported that up to 5000 police officers will be required for security purposes.
A Scottish Government spokesperson previously said: "There are plans for the First Minister to meet with the President when he is in Scotland. It is important that the opportunity to promote the interests of Scotland is taken during this visit.
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