Donald Trump couldn't hide his delight after checking into Turnberry for the first time since his £35.7million purchase of the Open venue.

The American tycoon gave a thumbs up to waiting photographers when he arrived at the hotel and course with son Eric and daughter Ivanka for the first time since sealing the deal two weeks ago.

It comes after he described the ownership of the site, following his purchase from Dubai as an "honour and a privilege."

He has also pledged to invest millions of dollars in the resort, which is one of five Open Championship courses in Scotland.

New Yorker Mr Trump and his family flew into Scotland aboard his privately owned Boeing 757, touching down at Prestwick Airport.

On Monday, the property billionaire gave a glowing report card another recent purchase, the Doonbeg links in Co. Clare, Republic of Ireland.

The celebrity is now pushing ahead with plans to organise holidays for golfers which will allow them to play the championship course at Doonbeg, Turnberry and his course at Menie, Aberdeenshire. There is even talk that golfers will be helicoptered between the three venues.

Turnberry is home to six restaurants, a spa and five star hotel which will continue to be managed by Starwood Hotels and Resorts.

It sits on more than 800 acres overlooking the Irish Sea and Arran.

Mr Trump has been involved in a long -running dispute with the Scottish Government over plans for offshore windturbines which he objected to at the Trump International Links complext at Menie, Aberdeenshire.

He claimed it would spoil the view from the hotel, but the Government has refused to back down. He even launched a legal case against the turbines and lost.

Mr Trump had been quoted as saying he would possibly rename his latest acquisition, Trump Turnberry.

Jordi Tarrida, General Manager of Turnberry Resort, commented: "We warmly welcome Mr Trump to Turnberry and look forward to working with him to ensure the full potential of the resort is realised."

A spokeswoman for the resort added: "Starwood Hotels & Resorts will continue to manage Turnberry under the Luxury Collection brand in keeping with our long term management contract."

Mr Trump, on buying it, said Turnberry's Open status was one of the main attractions of the investment.