NICOLA Sturgeon has had her first conversation with Donald Trump.
The US president-elect called the First Minister for a “a brief introductory conversation” around 4pm on Friday.
The call, which was arranged at short notice by Mr Trump’s office, lasted around 10 minutes.
Ms Sturgeon, who publicly supported Hillary Clinton for the presidency, congratulated Mr Trump on his victory, her spokesperson said last night.
The First Minister also “expressed her belief in the values Scotland and the United States share” and “discussed the longstanding relationship between Scotland and the United States”.
After Mr Trump was elected last month, Ms Sturgeon told MSPs many of his campaign comments had been “deeply abhorrent” and said she would never maintain “a diplomatic silence in the face of attitudes of racism, sexism, misogyny or intolerance of any kind”.
Three days later she wrote to him wishing him “success” in the White House.
She also said America remained one of Scotland’s “most valued partners” and that the two nations shared "fundamental values of equality, tolerance, diversity and human rights for all, regardless of race, faith, gender or sexual orientation".
Ms Sturgeon’s office refused to go into the specifics of the phone call, but said it was a cordial first encounter which reflected the First Minister’s letter to the 45th President.
It is understood Mr Trump’s call was a result of that letter.
Interviewed by the comedy star Gary Tank Commander in April, Ms Sturgeon was asked if she would “deal with him or dingy him?” if the outspoken property billionaire was elected.
She replied: “I think America will dingy him before I do.”
Mr Trump, whose mother was from Stornoway and who owns golf courses at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire, has been a frequent visitor to Scotland in the past.
He was initially on good terms with Ms Sturgeon’s predecessor, Alex Salmond, but fell out with him over plans for an offshore windfarm near his Menie course.
Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie said: “I hope Nicola Sturgeon will continue to stay true to the views she has expressed previously in relation to Trump’s racism and arrogance, and certainly challenge any position of influence that he gives to climate change deniers.
“I hope that the Scottish Government builds strong relationships with those in America who will have to work hard to oppose the dangerous agenda that Donald Trump represents.”
It emerged yesterday that Mr Trump is to remain an executive producer on the US show The Apprentice, which helped make him a TV star, even after he becomes President.
Variety magazine reported he would be paid “in the low five figures” per episode.
The move comes despite Mr Trump holding a press conference next week to explain how he will leave his business interests "in total in order to fully focus on running the country."
He will be sworn in on 20 January, 18 days after the series begins.
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