News Summary
Donald Trump is scheduled to visit Balmedie, Scotland for four days, including a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss a trade deal. Local residents criticize Trump’s business practices, expressing disappointment over unfulfilled promises related to his golf resort. The community’s sentiment remains largely unfavorable toward Trump, highlighted by ongoing protests against his visit. Concerns about environmental impacts and the golf resort’s financial struggles contribute to the tensions between Trump and the local populace.
Balmedie, Scotland
Donald Trump is set to return to Scotland for a four-day visit beginning on July 25, 2025. His itinerary includes visits to his golf resorts in Turnberry and Balmedie. A key part of his trip will occur on July 28, when he is scheduled to meet with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Balmedie to discuss a recent trade deal between the U.S. and the U.K.
Despite the high-profile nature of the visit, local residents in Balmedie remain critical of Trump’s business practices and the impact of his golf resort on the community. Many residents, including retired quarry worker Michael Forbes, are outspoken about their negative experiences with Trump, who they say employs aggressive tactics to acquire local land. Forbes asserts that the land will “never, ever belong to Trump,” reflecting a sentiment felt by others who have resisted his attempts to purchase their properties over nearly two decades.
Residents have raised concerns regarding the unfulfilled promises made by Trump regarding the economic benefits of his golf resort. Initially projected to generate substantial job creation and development, the resort has instead seen a disheartening outcome. Though Trump promised to invest $1.5 billion into the project, approximately only $120 million has been invested to date. Originally expected to create 1,000 permanent jobs along with temporary construction positions, the resort has generated only 84 jobs since its opening.
Furthermore, the development plans included a 450-room luxury hotel and hundreds of homes, with the reality consisting of just a 19-room boutique hotel and a small clubhouse. Financially, Trump’s golf course in Balmedie has continuously struggled, reporting a loss of $1.9 million in 2023—the eleventh consecutive annual loss since acquiring the land in 2006. Local observations indicate that the golf course is seldom busy, especially during peak summer months, as fairways often appear less than half full.
Despite the criticism, some residents acknowledge Trump’s aesthetic contributions to the area, specifically pointing to the transformation of the dunes into a golf course. Public sentiment about Trump, however, remains largely unfavorable; recent surveys indicate that around 70% of Scots view him unfavorably—a sentiment that marks him as particularly unpopular in Scotland relative to other UK regions.
In conjunction with his new golf course opening dedicated to his mother, Trump’s visit is expected to spark protests organized by various groups, including the Stop Trump Coalition. Residents worry about potential vandalism and backlash due to Trump’s contentious business practices and political stance. This historical backdrop includes disputes during which Trump’s workers reportedly damaged a water pipeline on Forbes’ property, leaving the family without clean drinking water for five years. Additionally, David Milne, another resident, has outright rejected offers from Trump to purchase his property due to below-market offers which would negatively impact his land’s views.
Since the opening of Trump’s golf course in 2012, local community members have expressed disappointment over unfulfilled promises and the environmental impact of the project. Concerns raised over environmental degradation have led former members of Aberdeen’s council to publicly regret their previous support for Trump’s venture. The dunes where the golf course is built lost their designation as a Site of Special Scientific Interest in 2020, an indication of the environmental concerns that have been brought to light since the project’s inception.
Trump’s history of opposition to a wind farm built near the golf course also remains a contentious point, as he has been notably vocal about his disapproval. The challenges and criticisms surrounding Trump’s business practices and his arrival in Balmedie illustrate the complex and often strained relationship he shares with the local community, highlighting ongoing tensions that are expected to surface during his upcoming visit.
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Additional Resources
- USA Today: Trump’s Scotland Golf Resort
- Wikipedia: Donald Trump
- CBS News: Trump’s Scotland Golf Course
- Google Search: Trump golf course Scotland
- The New York Times: Trump Visit to Scotland
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Trade Agreement
- The Washington Post: Trump and Starmer in Scotland
- Google News: Trump visit Scotland
- Press Democrat: Trump’s Trip to Scotland
- Google Scholar: Trump golf course Scotland
Author: STAFF HERE INDIANAPOLIS WRITER
INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER The INDIANAPOLIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREIndianapolis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Indianapolis, Marion County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Indianapolis 500, Indy Jazz Fest, and the Indiana State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Indy Chamber and Visit Indy, plus leading businesses in motorsports and healthcare that power the local economy such as Indianapolis Motor Speedway and IU Health. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Indiana's dynamic landscape.
