Did "Trump's Scottish Golf Course," have to "up its security" in 2024 after people were "breaking in" and defecating in the holes? No, that's not true: There is no evidence that the course -- presumably Trump International Scotland -- had to increase security measures as of this writing. This rumor appears to have originated with comedian Russell Howard, who joked in 2017 about encouraging his brother to defecate "in every hole at the course as a birthday present," according to media outlets. He did not state that vandalism had occurred at the golf course or that the facility had to increase security in 2024, as posts on social media claimed.
The claim appeared in a post on Substack on November 10, 2024, (archived here), that read:
Russell Howard has said Trump's Scottish Golf Course has had to up its security because Righteous Scottish men are breaking in and shitting in the holes. Not all heroes wear capes. They wear kilts.
This is how the post appeared on Substack at the time of this writing:
(Source: Substack screenshot taken Tue Nov 12 12:56:51 2024 UTC)
"Trump's Scottish Golf Course" presumably refers to Trump International Scotland, which, according to its website (archived here), is located in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire. As of November 25, 2024, there is no evidence that the facility has made any effort to enhance security measures or that any defecation or other vandalism has been recorded on its property.
This claim appears to be based on a joke made by Howard in 2017, who reportedly said that he intended to encourage his brother to defecate in a hole, according to the Daily Record (archived here) and The Sun (archived here). The Sun reported the comedian said the following:
I am really looking forward to playing Aberdeen. I always like doing gigs on my birthday and my brother is coming up.
We noticed that Donald Trump's got a golf course nearby so I am going to try to get my brother to take a s**t in every hole at the course, as a birthday present to me.
He's currently unemployed and he doesn't care so there is every chance I could get him to do it.
However, Howard did not state that the golf course had to increase security or that people had actually defecated "in the holes." Lead Stories contacted Howard through Avalon Management (archived here) for comment. We will update this article if a response is received.
Trump International Scotland declined to comment on the claim in an email received on November 13, 2024.
