BALMEDIE, Scotland — Real-estate mogul Donald Trump finally has the official Scottish coat of arms he longed for, it was announced Tuesday.
The insignia will be used to promote his monolithic golf resort, the Trump International Golf Links, located at the Menie Estate in Balmedie, northeastern Scotland.
Trump’s mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in Stornoway, on Scotland’s Isle of Lewis, and “The Apprentice” magnate has often trumpeted his Scottish roots — especially when it came to explaining his plans to build the so-called “golfopolis” there.
He was given an official warning by Scotland’s heraldic authority in 2008 after he created an unregistered crest, breaking ancient Scottish laws dating back to 1672.
Sarah Malone, the vice president of Trump International-Scotland, said the new coat of arms was created with the “importance” of the golf resort and “Trump’s family heritage” in mind.
“The Lion Rampant makes reference to Scotland and the stars to America,” Malone said, describing the insignia.
“Three chevronels are used to denote the sky, sand dunes and sea — the essential components of the [golf resort] site — and the double-sided eagle represents the dual nature and nationality of Trump’s heritage.”
She added, “The eagle clutches golf balls, making reference to the great game of golf, and the motto ‘Numquam Concedere’ is Latin for ‘Never Give Up’ — Trump’s philosophy.”
The registered Trump insignia unveiled Tuesday differs from his 2008 attempt.
The Trump International Golf Links project took a long time to come to fruition, but the championship course is finally complete and due to open this summer.
Trump first announced his plans to build the £750 million ($1.2 billion) golf resort in March 2006, but his proposal took more than two years to gain approval as conservationists furiously opposed the plan. They argued that the resort would have a significant environmental impact on sand dunes in the area, which were designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest.
But despite the protests, Trump gained permission to build a championship golf course, a second 18-hole links golf course, a hotel and 950 houses.
The plans for a clubhouse also were blasted as “gross” and “not worthy of Disneyland” by one of Scotland’s best-known architects, Andy MacMillan, in September 2011.