DONALD TRUMP ACCUSED OF 'HOODWINKING' SCOTLAND OVER ABERDEENSHIRE GOLF COURSE $1BN INVESTMENT PROMISE

Scotland was "hoodwinked" by Donald Trump over his Aberdeenshire golf course, the man who helped broker the deal has said.

Neil Hobday was the project director for the controversial resort, which opened in 2012 after the former president claimed he would invest $1 billion into the venture.

Speaking to the BBC, he said he felt "hoodwinked and ashamed that I fell for it and Scotland fell for it".

"I don't think even if he could raise the money to build the whole thing out, he wanted the golf course, and that was it," Mr Hobday added.

"He was willing to fight the environmental battle and create this impression that this was a $1 billion project and Scotland absolutely needed it. But I think he never really had the money or the intention of finishing it.

"I feel very hoodwinked and ashamed that I fell for it, and Scotland fell for it. We all fell for it. He was never going to do it."

For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US

Located eight miles north of Aberdeen, the Menie Estate once spanned across windswept sand dunes, meadows, and woodlands.

Then, in 2006, Trump unveiled his ambitious plans to transform it into what he touted as the world's premier golf course.

It was initially estimated to cost "in excess of $500 million", according to the first official announcement by Trump International Golf Links.

But Trump boasted when he arrived in Scotland to address the media that the project's budget had skyrocketed to over a billion dollars.

Despite the steep cost increase, the plans garnered significant support from the local business community, enticed by the promised investment scale expected to lure major golf tournaments to the area.

Trump International Scotland said it had invested "hundreds of millions of pounds" into the economy.

The company added it had "delivered on its promise to build one of the greatest modern links golf courses of all time".

2024-03-29T14:09:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd