Donald Trump yesterday announced that work has started on renovating a 14th-century property to create his family home in Scotland.

Donald Trump yesterday announced that work has started on renovating a 14th-century property to create his family home in Scotland.

The flamboyant entrepreneur said that Menie House, on the site of his planned £1bn golf resort in Aberdeenshire, would be refurbished to become the "Trump family residence in Scotland". Menie Park Lodge is also being renovated, with six local firms employed to bring both buildings back "to their original grandeur and beauty".

The businessman also announced the development team for the golf resort on the north-east coast, with Glasgow architects Gareth Hoskins taking responsibility for the masterplan. A total of 12 companies was appointed to work alongside golf course architectural firm Hawtree Ltd to design and build Trump International Golf Links, Scotland.

Speaking from Trump Tower in New York last night, Mr Trump said the team would deliver a product "that every Scot will be proud of for many generations to come".

A spokesman for Mr Trump said both Menie House and Menie Park Lodge, which will eventually be used to house executive suites for the development, are due to be completed in the early stages of 2009.

"Menie House, which will become the Trump family residence in Scotland, is being decorated and refurbished to the highest possible standard, while retaining a strong traditional Scottish style, reflective of the age of the property," a spokesman said.

"Mr Trump is working closely with the design team ensuring that the property reflects the level of excellence demonstrated throughout his real estate portfolio."

Mr Trump said: "It is extremely exciting that the project has become a reality."