Donald Trump has said it is a "great thing" that the people of the UK have "taken back their country" in voting to leave the EU, after touching down in Scotland.
The Republican presidential hopeful arrived by helicopter at his seaside Trump Turnberry resort Friday morning for its official opening, following a major refurbishment of the hotel and golf course.
Advertisement
While Trump largely received a warm welcome, dozens of protesters outraged by the American's anti-immigration stance, were also on hand to express their views. As was comedian Lee Harris who handed out golf balls covered in swastikas, before he was removed by security.
Trump, who arrived with his son Eric Trump, daughter Ivanka Trump, and granddaughter Kai Trump, also called the decision "fantastic" and talked down concerns about the financial and political implications, saying "it's going to be a great thing".
Advertisement
The BBC quoted Trump as saying the decision, which saw Leave beat Remain by 52% to 48%, was an "amazing vote, very historic".
He then added: "People are angry all over the world. They're angry over borders, they're angry over people coming into the country and taking over and nobody even knows who they are.
Speaking in advance of his arrival, protesters said Trump was not welcome, one claiming the property magnate had “ramped up levels of racism, Islamophobia, and bigotry” during his run for the White House.
Trump’s proposed policies include building a wall on the country’s border with Mexico and temporarily banning Muslims from entering America.
The protest is supported by a number of organisations, including Stand Up to Racism Scotland, the Glasgow Campaign to Welcome Refugees and Unite the Union Scotland.
Scotland is Trump's ancestral home, with the 70-year-old's mother born on Scotland's Isle of Lewis.
Trump added his name to the Ayrshire hotel and Open golf course after buying the resort for an undisclosed fee in 2014.
Advertisement
The mogul's business links with Scotland began a decade ago as he promised to create a legacy to his mother Mary MacLeod.
Donald Trump's full statement:The people of the United Kingdom have exercised the sacred right of all free peoples. They have declared their independence from the European Union, and have voted to reassert control over their own politics, borders and economy. A Trump Administration pledges to strengthen our ties with a free and independent Britain, deepening our bonds in commerce, culture and mutual defense. The whole world is more peaceful and stable when our two countries – and our two peoples – are united together, as they will be under a Trump Administration.Come November, the American people will have the chance to re-declare their independence. Americans will have a chance to vote for trade, immigration and foreign policies that put our citizens first. They will have the chance to reject today’s rule by the global elite, and to embrace real change that delivers a government of, by and for the people. I hope America is watching, it will soon be time to believe in America again.
Advertisement
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Advertisement
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump arrives to his Trump Turnberry Resort on June 24, 2016 in Ayr, Scotland
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Advertisement
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
A bagpipe player wears traditional dress holding a hat in support of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump as he awaits his arrival by helicopter
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Trump surround by his family his son Eric Trump (R), granddaughter Kai Trump and daughter Ivanka Trump (L) arrive to his Trump Turnberry Resort
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
A supporter of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump takes a photo with her phone as she awaits his arrival by helicopter
Advertisement
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is welcomed as he arrives at his Turnberry golf course, in Turnberry, Scotland
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Carlo Allegri / Reuters
Advertisement
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
Men wear red hats in support of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump as they await his arrival
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
AYR, SCOTLAND - JUNE 24: A man wears a red hat in support of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump as he awaits his arrival by helicopter to his Trump Turnberry Resort on June 24, 2016 in Ayr, Scotland. Mr Trump will officially open his golf resort which has undergone an eight month refurbishment as part of an investment thought to be worth in the region of two hundred million pounds. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump waves as he arrives at his Turnberry golf course, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Advertisement
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Donald Trump arrives at Turnberry golf course in Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Jeff J Mitchell via Getty Images
AYR, SCOTLAND - JUNE 24: A man wears a red hat in support of Presumptive Republican nominee for US president Donald Trump as he awaits his arrival by helicopter to his Trump Turnberry Resort on June 24, 2016 in Ayr, Scotland. Mr Trump will officially open his golf resort which has undergone an eight month refurbishment as part of an investment thought to be worth in the region of two hundred million pounds. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump is welcomed as he arrives at his Turnberry golf course, in Turnberry, Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Advertisement
Jane Barlow/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump lands by helicopter at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Turnberry golf course in Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Advertisement
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump lands by helicopter at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Advertisement
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Clodagh Kilcoyne / Reuters
Donald Trump waves as he arrives at Turnberry golf course in Scotland, Britain June 24, 2016. REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Advertisement
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Security await the arrival of US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump hugs his son Donald Trump Jr, alongside his other son Eric, after speaking at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Advertisement
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives to speak at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump arrives to speak at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Advertisement
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Jane Barlow/PA Wire
US presidential hopeful Donald Trump speaks at his revamped Trump Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Advertisement
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.
Andrew Milligan/PA Wire
Comedian Simon Brodkin, also known as Lee Nelson, disrupts a press conference being held by US presidential hopeful Donald Trump at Turnberry hotel in South Ayrshire, where the Trump Turnberry golf course has been revamped.