EDINBURGH — Former US President Donald Trump has arrived in Aberdeen on a visit to his Scottish golf properties.

It is Trump's first visit to the UK since 2019 after leaving office.

He is expected to attend a ceremony to open a new course at his Aberdeenshire resort, Trump International Scotland.

Trump, who is running for the White House again in 2024, sparked a major security operation on a Scottish visit in 2018. Protests were held in Glasgow, Dundee, Edinburgh and Aberdeen.

The visit comes as Trump faces court action in the United States. Earlier this month he pleaded not guilty to 34 counts of falsifying business records.

He is also facing a civil trial over an allegation that he raped an advice columnist nearly three decades ago.

Trump is visiting Scotland as a private individual.

It is understood there is no requirement on the Scottish or UK governments to pay for special security.

Trump arrived at Aberdeen Airport at about 11:30 and was met by two pipers, a red carpet and a 10-vehicle motorcade.

He left the plane and walked to a waiting car, greeting waiting media, but did not stop to take questions.

Ahead of the visit, Trump said he would be opening a "spectacular" second course on the Menie Estate at Balmedie in Aberdeenshire.

Trump is later expected to visit the Trump Turnberry course in Ayrshire before traveling to his course in Doonbeg on Ireland's west coast.

He wrote on his Truth Social website: "The golf courses and hotels are among the greatest in the world - Turnberry and Aberdeen, in Scotland, and Doonbeg, in Ireland.

"Will be meeting with many wonderful friends, and cutting a ribbon for a new and spectacular second course in Aberdeen.

"Very exciting despite the fact that it is 'make America great again' that is on my mind, in fact, America will be greater than ever before."

On Trump's last major visit to Scotland in July 2018 he spent two days at his Turnberry resort with wife Melania.

Trump was heckled as he played golf at Turnberry with his son Eric.

It was part of a four-day trip to the UK, during which he met then Prime Minister Theresa May and the Queen. — BBC