The emphatic victory of President Donald J. Trump in the US Presidential election comes as no surprise to those who know him, work for him and support him. He does what he says he is going to do and has an iron will to make things happen.
As a leader, he is unapologetically tough and is prepared to battle on against the fiercest opposition to achieve what he believes in.
One of the causes dearest to his heart has been Scotland. He and his family love this country.
He is half Scottish, his mother Mary MacLeod hailing from the Western Isles. President Trump and his family have been unwavering in their commitment and support for Scotland.
Nowhere is that more evident than in the creation of his two world-class golf resorts in Aberdeenshire and Turnberry in Ayrshire.
Sarah Malone has slammed comments by John Swinney and Patrick Harvie over President-elect Donald Trump
Hundreds of millions of US dollars have been poured into making these destinations the envy of the golf world.
As a result, many tens of thousands of international visitors travel to Scotland every year making a significant contribution to the economy.
Around six hundred people – the majority of whom are Scottish – are employed directly by Trump businesses and many more local and national businesses benefit and prosper on supplying services to our resorts.
By any reasonable yardstick, this would be hailed universally as a spectacular Scottish success story and a cause for celebration.
In truth, the Trump resorts in Scotland are enjoyed and celebrated by those who visit them and use our world-class facilities.
This past week, there were moments of true celebration at Trump International, Scotland by staff, patrons and countless others in the business and golf communities.
World leaders queued up to congratulate the 47th President-elect of the United States. So, what did he and his family hear from Scotland, the place he has done so much to support?
Political posturing of the very worst kind. The First Minister John Swinney said he had written to President Trump to congratulate him when only a few days earlier he was happy to denigrate him publicly.
Most reasonable people would see this for what it was and move on. Not so.
Patrick Harvie, from the Scottish Greens, chastised the First Minister for congratulating President Trump before launching into a tirade against the man using language that was disgraceful, defamatory and downright insulting, not only to the future President of the United States but also to all those who rely upon and prosper as a result of the Trump investment in Scotland.
Harvie railed against a ‘misogynist’ who has just appointed the first female US chief of staff at the White House, a ‘racist’ who has won the support of an unprecedented number of African American and Latino voters in this election.
This appalling behaviour of Patrick Harvie sends a message out that Scotland’s politicians are small-minded and spiteful. Is that really what we want the world to see?
In Aberdeenshire, Trump International, Scotland has had great support from the business community and we have a strong relationship with the local authority. We work with countless environmental, tourism, sport and leisure organisations and many others besides.
Eric Trump, who heads all aspects of the Trump businesses globally, has been leading the Trump investment in Scotland for years and oversees the growth and development of the businesses in Scotland.
He will continue to do so in the future building another spectacular championship course in Aberdeenshire and honouring the long-standing Trump investment here while his father serves his second term as President.
This real-world experience seems a parallel universe to the, frankly, pitiful sight of parliamentarians willing to say almost anything for the sake of a cheap headline.
It’s patently obvious that people will have differing political views and are free to share them.
However, what is galling for the hundreds of people who work for Trump in Scotland is to see constant abuse of a man and his family who have put heart and soul into creating top world ranking destinations in Scotland. Enough is enough.
We see President Trump as an outstanding leader who has delivered his vision for Scotland, overcoming all the odds.
He has invested more in Scottish golf and tourism than anyone else. Those who stoop so low to the political posturing we have seen this past week could not lace his boots.
