It was always expected that Donald Trump might pop up in Scotland at some point.

The president owns golf courses in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, and has family roots too with his mother hailing from the Isle of Lewis.

But now he has been invited to Scotland by none other than the King.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hand-delivered an invitation from King Charles for an unprecedented second state visit as part of his own trip to Washington.

And it said an initial planning meeting could take place at a Scottish royal estate, either Balmoral or Dumfries House, given their proximity to Mr Trump’s golf courses.

The president said it would be an “honour” to return to the UK, which he called a “fantastic” country.

Traditionally second term presidents are not offered a full state visit, but take tea or lunch with the monarch at Windsor Castle.

Sir Keir said the invitation was “historic” and “truly unprecedented”.

First Minister John Swinney endorsed Mr Trumps rival Kamala Harris during the US elections, but took a call from the president following his victory.

And he’s said he could seek to use Mr Trump’s roots to avoid the prospect of tariffs being imposed on Scottish goods being imported to the US.