US President Donald Trump will face a barrage of protest on arrival in Scotland as part of a UK visit this year, it was claimed.

Speculation is growing of a working trip to Britain and possibly a visit north of the border, fuelled by the President's high praise of Scotland in a television interview.

Herald View: Trump’s UK visit can be protested and yet respected

A warning shot was fired by Richard Leonard, Scottish Labour leader, echoing concerns of protest groups that emerged during the presidential campaign of "racism and bigotry".

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard

Mr Trump sparked the expectation of a visit when he spoke of his deep regret at not being able to visit Scotland as often as he could before being elected as US President.

He described the country - where his family owns two golf resorts - as "a very special place" during an interview with Piers Morgan for ITV.

His remarks came as Downing Street announced Mr Trump would be making his first trip to the UK as president later this year, despite the risk of mass protests.

Herald View: Trump’s UK visit can be protested and yet respected

He said: "The real me is somebody that loves Britain, loves the UK. I love Scotland.

"One of the biggest problems I have in winning (the presidency), I won't be able to get back there so often. I would love to go there.

"As you know, before this happened, I would be there a lot. Very special people and a very special place."

Mr Trump recently cancelled a visit to the UK to open the new US embassy in London, however it is now anticipated he will come to Britain in the second half of 2018.

Donald Trump: Likes Scotland

There were concerns over mass protests had a bearing on the decision not to come that time, and protests would be expected in Scotland during any future trip.

Mr Leonard said: "Theresa May welcoming Donald Trump to the UK shows just how out of touch she is with the strong feeling of repulsion in this country towards the views held by the US President.

“If Donald Trump comes to Scotland, I and all of Scottish Labour will be leading the protests against him.

“I am absolutely clear, Donald Trump’s racist and bigoted views are not welcome here."

Herald View: Trump’s UK visit can be protested and yet respected

Protests against Mr Trump took place across Scotland both before and after inauguration.

The Scotland Against Trump group said at one rally in Edinburgh last year that the President "is the apex of an insurgency of an international far-right" adding: "We will resist."

While the President handed over control of his business empire including his Scottish golfing interests to sons, Donald and Eric, there is speculation his appearance, which is expected to be a working visit rather than a full state occasion, could also involve a trip north of the border.

Edinburgh anti-Trump march 2017

Mr Trump last travelled to the UK in June 2016 during the presidential campaign with stops at his Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire golf courses.

He was a frequent visitor to Scotland during the development of his luxury golf resort on the Menie Estate, and has often spoken of his Scottish roots.

Herald View: Trump’s UK visit can be protested and yet respected

His mother, Mary MacLeod Trump, was born on the Isle of Lewis before emigrating in the 1930s to the US, where she died in August 2000 at the age of 88.

Relations with the Scottish Government soured following a row over a wind farm development off the coast of his Aberdeenshire resort, while First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been an outspoken critic of Mr Trump's candidacy and presidency.

Ms Sturgeon previously described the prospect of a state visit by Mr Trump as "unthinkable".