Donald Trump: "I'm going to build the best hotel in Scotland"

PA

American tycoon Donald Trump has announced plans for a "the finest hotel in Europe" at his exclusive Scottish golf resort.

Trump has previously claimed that he would not spend an extra penny on the £750million complex because of plans for a wind farm off the Aberdeenshire coast.

But speaking as he arrived in Scotland on a surprise visit the businessman said he was now "ready" to create the best hotel Scotland had ever seen and would fight plans for the wind farm.

The billionaire claims that a planned 11-turbine European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC) would wreck the view for golfers playing his course at the Menie estate, near Balmedie.

He said he was planning a "massive lawsuit" over the proposals, which has seen him become embroiled in a battle with First Minister Alex Salmond.

"We want to do something to help Scotland. We will fight it. We have good lawyers," he said.

In a statement to the BBC, Mr Trump said: " The golf course I have built is already considered, perhaps, the best in the world.

The hotel I am planning would likewise be far superior to any hotel in Scotland, England, Ireland and, hopefully anywhere in Europe."

His vision is for a luxury 450-room hotel, spa and hundreds of holiday homes.

The billionaire has also hit out at plans for a wind farm 3.5 miles of the coast from the championship Turnberry course in Ayrshire.

It is feared the iconic views across the Firth of Clyde from the course could be blighted.

Mr Trump said: "I think it is very destructive to Turnberry. It will no longer be the place it is and will suffer tremendously in terms of tourism," he said, speaking in the Daily Express.