Donald Trump has embarked on a business trip to Scotland, his first foreign visit since becoming the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, just as Britain decided to exit the 28-member European Union in a historic referendum.
Trump's visit to promote a golf course his firm purchased on Scotland's southwestern coast comes amid reports of protests by locals against the New York celebrity tycoon's controversial policies about building a wall on the US-Mexico border and temporarily banning Muslims from entering America.
Tomorrow, the 70-year-old is expected to travel to the Trump International Golf Links, his course in the eastern coastal village of Balmedie, a resort that has been controversial with local residents.
They have planned noisy and colourful demonstrations against his controversial policies, already putting up Mexican flags to protest Trump's visit.
His proposal to ban Muslims from entering the US drew the ire of British Prime Minister David Cameron, who has called the idea "stupid, divisive and wrong".
"Leaving now for a one-night trip to Scotland in order to be at the Grand Opening of my great Turnberry Resort. Will be back on Sat night!" Trump tweeted before leaving for Scotland.
Trump reportedly invested USD 300 million into the resort.
During his visit, Trump has no plans to meet foreign leaders. But his visit comes at a critical time as Britain today voted to withdraw from the European Union in a knife- edge referendum, preceded by a bitter-divisive campaign.
A day earlier, Trump told Fox Business that he would probably vote to get out of the European Union.
"I don't think anybody should listen to me because I haven't really focused on it very much. But my inclination would be to get out," he said.
Trump's mother was a Scottish immigrant.
Trump has criticised the continent's leaders as "weak", and accused them of inadequate measures to combat terrorism after attacks in Brussels this year.
