IT’S official: the Scots are to blame for Donald Trump’s character; or so the US ambassador has suggested.

Robert “Woody” Johnson, talking ahead of the US President’s Friday July 13 visit to the UK, gave an insight into the Donald’s character - and it all comes down, apparently, to his Scottish heritage; his late mother Mary came from the Isle of Lewis.

The ambassador suggested much of the Trump style could be traced back to his Scottish roots.

"The Scots are tough and argumentative," declared Mr Johnson. "All the things he brings to the table to the American people come from Scotland.”

READ MORE: Donald Trump faces mass protests in London, so Tories say: Go north instead

When this was put to Theresa May’s deputy spokesman - that the Trump idiosyncrasies can be traced back to Scotland - he laughed, paused and said: “Look, I think, you know, I’m not entirely sure how to respond to that.”

After another pause, he added, diplomatically: “We recognise the excellent characteristics of the Scottish people and the contribution they make to the United Kingdom as a whole.”

Mr Johnson also made clear the President would visit London and “really wants" to meet the Queen when he made his visit. Sources have suggested this is likely to take place at either Buckingham Palace or Windsor Castle, where the presidential helicopter has space to land.

The Prime Minister’s deputy spokesman replied by saying it was not appropriate to set out details of the presidential schedule this far in advance and details would be given in due course.

READ MORE: Donald Trump faces mass protests in London, so Tories say: Go north instead

There is also speculation Mr Trump could seek to fit in a quick visit to the Turnberry golf course, which his family business owns.

Asked what message Mrs May would have for those politicians and campaigners intent on demonstrating against the President’s visit in July, her deputy spokesman said: “We have a vital and strong relationship with the US but, obviously, we are a free and open democracy.”

Supporters of Mr Trump's visit have urged him to stay away from London in an effort to avoid mass demonstrations.

In a letter to him, six conservative groups recommended he should instead focus his visit on his "ancestral home" of Scotland, including a meeting with the Queen at Balmoral.

In an interview with LBC radio Mr Johnson said that Mr Trump was "thick-skinned" enough to deal with any protests and suggested that he might be able to win over critics such as London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Commons Speaker John Bercow.

READ MORE: Donald Trump faces mass protests in London, so Tories say: Go north instead

Mr Khan responded to Thursday's announcement of the July visit by saying that in London the President would "experience an open and diverse city that has always chosen unity over division and hope over fear. He will also no doubt see that Londoners hold their liberal values of freedom of speech very dear."

Concern over possible demonstrations is thought to have played a part in the cancellation of a trip to open the new US embassy in London earlier this year and is behind the postponement of a state visit mooted for 2017.

That trip - which would involve lavish ceremonies and a stay with the Queen at Buckingham Palace - has been put off indefinitely, though Number 10 insists the invitation stands.

Mr Johnson suggested it could take place in 2019, saying: "I don't think it's a snub. That state visit will be put off a little bit but maybe next year he will do that. I think so."

READ MORE: Donald Trump faces mass protests in London, so Tories say: Go north instead

The ambassador was unable to confirm who Mr Trump would meet in July but asked if it could include the Queen, the ambassador replied: "He really wants to meet the Queen.

"He has a really positive view, he knows that the value-added of the royal family and what they bring to the table is enormous. You can really see it from an American perspective; maybe even clearer than you can see it here."

Asked how concerned Mr Trump was about the prospect of protests, Mr Johnson said: "He's very thick-skinned. He knows what he wants to do and he speaks in a very clear and unusual way from most politicians.

"Most politicians don't weigh it out the way he does and so he is going to get a lot of criticism for that as people interpret where he is taking everything. But in the end, people are starting to, even now, realise that where he is going is a good direction."

While Mr Khan and Mr Bercow were "not in sync" with the President's views at present, Mr Johnson suggested: "Mayor Khan and the Speaker might realise he has the potential to bring so much to the table, particularly during Brexit and after Brexit, on the prosperity agenda and the military agenda, they might change their opinion.”