DONALD Trump repeatedly attempted to create a luxury hotel overlooking Scotland’s most prestigious golf course in St Andrews, it has been revealed.

Court documents have shown that the US President tried, but failed, to convince the Royal Bank of Scotland to lend him nearly £40 million to buy Hamilton Hall, an iconic Victorian sandstone building overlooking the 18th century Old Course, which is the oldest golf course in the world. Documents, seen by the Scotland on Sunday newspaper show that he hoped to convert into one of his signature hotels.

The 71-year-old, who already has a clutch of Scotland-based businesses including the coveted Trump Turnberry hotel and golf course in South Ayrshire and Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire, tried for more than three years to purchase the grand building holding talks with senior Bank of Scotland executives in the hope that they would provide £38m for the project.

His children Donald Jr, Eric, and Ivanka, were also involved in talks, it is claimed. The Trumps even hosted a meeting with bankers at the property magnate’s offices in Trump Tower in New York. It has been said his failure to secure it has raises questions about this claim of fiancial wealth.

In total Trump made four offers for Hamilton Hall, initially entering into a confidentiality agreement with the property’s owners in August 2006. His attempt to buy the former University of St Andrews hall of residence for £23m was made in October 2008. Another offer was made two months later and in August 2009, Trump made two final offers for the property, a cash deal for £4m and one for £10m, conditional on a £9m Bank of Scotland decade-long loan.

However none of the offers were accepted and finally it seems the US President accepted defeat. The property is now owned by American, Herb Kohler, who has converted it into some of Scotland’s most expensive and exclusive flats. Trump, who is expected to visit Turnberry later this month as part of his contentious three-day visit to the UK, has never made his plans public. However, details were revealed in a catalogue of documentation from the US District Court in Providence, Rhode Island, where a civil lawsuit has been filed by the Bank of Scotland against Hamilton Hall’s former owners.

Stephen Gethins, the SNP MP for North East Fife and the party’s foreign affairs spokesman, said: “It is worrying but not surprising that Trump wanted to buy property here, and Hamilton Hall is a prestigious building in a prime location. I’m sure many will feel St Andrews has had a lucky escape from someone who simply thinks he can buy influence.”

Willie Rennie, the leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, whose North East Fife constituency takes in St Andrews, it was further evidence of Trump’s “bully boy tactics”.

A spokesman for Lloyds Banking group, which owns the Bank of Scotland, said: “Whilst litigation in relation to this matter has concluded to the satisfaction of both parties it is subject to a confidential settlement agreement so it would be inappropriate to comment further.”

Amanda Miller, senior vice-president of marketing and communications at the Trump Organisation, did not respond to requests for comment.