Named after his late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, the course aims to become one of the world’s top golf destinations. Trump’s son, Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump Organization, is overseeing the project.

Donald Trump said: “We are going to build a great golf course that aims to replicate the outstanding championship links we already have here and many believe to be the greatest golf course in the world.

“We will build a course that will be fit to host many great championships in the future along with our championship links. We’ve had a lot of pleasure in working on this land and there is no other land like it. We have incredible views by the sea and there are no other dunes like these in the world. It will be a great success.

He continued: “This project is very close to my heart and I am delighted to say that this is our first day of work on the new course It will be dedicated to my late mother and that is a source of great pride to me and my family.

“My mother was an incredible woman who loved Scotland. She returned here every year and she loved The Queen. I got to know The Queen too during my visits here I love Scotland just as much.”

Eric Trump said: “We’re extremely excited to be breaking ground on another world-class links course in Aberdeenshire.

“We own and operate the best courses on earth and this new course at Trump International, Scotland has the potential to top them all and reaffirm its place as a top world ranking golf destination.”

The MacLeod course was designed by international course designer Dr. Martin Hawtree, who also created the initial championship links at the Menie Estate. Aberdeenshire Council approved the new course in late 2020, and it will be situated to the south and west of the existing championship course.

Sarah Malone, executive vice-president of Trump International Scotland, said: “We are delighted that President Trump and Eric Trump have today marked the start of work on The MacLeod Course which will be built to the highest specifications and standards to complement our award-winning championship links. This initial phase of work included enabling works and other ground surveys.”