Trump sought to purchase historic Scottish building for hotel: report

President Trump tried for three years to purchase an iconic Victorian building in Scotland that he intended to turn into his first wholly owned hotel outside of the U.S., the Scottish newspaper Scotland on Sunday reported Saturday.

Trump once offered £23 million — about $30 million today — for Hamilton Hall, a 19th century property in St. Andrews overlooking the 18th green of the Old Course, considered the oldest golf course in the world, the news outlet reported. 

Trump sought to have the Bank of Scotland finance the deal, asking for £38 million, or around $50 million. That included a £23 million mortgage and an additional £15 million for construction. 

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The bank ultimately rejected the request in 2008, however, saying that it was “too risky” and essentially amounted to a “free loan,” according to the newspaper.

In a message to the Bank of Scotland and the banker negotiating with Trump, the real estate mogul claimed that his St. Andrews hotel “will be a great source of pride for Scotland.” Trump also said he hoped to have the property open by the 2010 Open Championship at the Old Course, the paper reported.

The banker involved in the negotiations, Charles Wighton, also told Scotland on Sunday that Trump and another Trump Organization executive requested that the bank foreclose on the building’s owners.

The Trump Organization’s efforts to purchase the property have not been previously reported.

A spokeswoman for the Trump Organization did not respond to a series of questions from the paper.

Trump already owns two properties in Scotland: Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire and Trump Turnberry, a luxury resort and renowned golf course in South Ayrshire. 

Trump has come under scrutiny since taking office last year for his business dealings in the U.S. and abroad.

His hotel in Washington, D.C., has been a subject of particular criticism, with ethics watchdogs and political opponents expressing concern that foreign officials could patronize the property to try to curry favor with the president.