The Donald Looks Forward To Teeing It Up With Alex Salmond!

Dawn Morrisson reports that Donald Trump did not (entirely) use the opportunity of Alex Salmond's post Scottish independence loss and resignation as First Minister to antagonize his one-time mate.

Morrison writes in the Press and Journal:

Yesterday the businessman welcomed the news Scotland is to remain within the UK and tweeted: “The people of Scotland have spoken – a great decision. I wish Alex Salmond well and look forward to playing golf with him at Aberdeen.”

And last night Mr Trump told the Press and Journal: “Salmond did the right thing stepping down.

According to The Herald, The Donald did manage to link Salmond's support of wind turbines off the coasts of Scotland to the loss.

Mr Trump tweeted yesterday the outcome was a "great decision". He said: "I am convinced that if @AlexSalmond had not pushed ugly wind turbines all over Scotland, the vote would have been much better for him!"

A Daily Mail commentary by Matt Chorley noted Salmond's golf and gambling instincts as part of his downfall (scroll to the bottom).

But his failure to address key questions on the currency, pensions, prices and public spending of an independent Scotland refused to go away.

A Star Trek fan, a keen golfer, an enthusiastic gambler, Salmond has a competitive streak to almost everything, even dieting.

When trying to slim on the 5:2 diet, he boasted how he had shed the pounds faster than Chancellor George Osborne.

Last weekend he was asked what he would do if Scots voted for independence; would he enjoy a malt whiskey and round of golf?

He declined the offer of a drink, but revealed that even if he had torn the Union apart, he would go to the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles next week.

Salmond's steadfast support of the Ryder Cup and Scottish Open along with his swift resignation should earn him a warm enough reception next week at Gleneagles, especially as this Reuters story by Alistair Spout reveals a huge short-term economic boost from the referendum vote that has pubs rejoicing and hotel operators gouging. Oh and there are many positive long term ramifications for Scotland after the vote, as Christopher Welsh explains.