Trump owes much more to the Isle of Lewis than he says, including his first name
In June 2008, a Boeing 727 adesivado named "Trump" in gold color along the fuselage landed at Stornoway Airport on Lewis, one of the Western Isles of Scotland.
For the second time in his life, Donald Trump came to visit the birthplace of his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod. From the outside the modest house of her in Tong village, he told reporters: "I feel very comfortable here, I think I feel a Scot.."
In the campaign for the primaries, the likely Republican candidate for the White House talked a lot about how to keep immigrants out of the US - is the construction of walls along the border with Mexico or banning the entry of Muslims.
But he said little about his own immigrant story, particularly his mother, who, with 18 years left Lewis, about 60 km from Britain, to try a new life in the US.
Marks on name and hair
Trump owes much more to Lewis than he says, including his first name (Donald has Scottish origin) and perhaps one of his trademarks: the flaming red hair.
Maciver said that Trump mentality does not match a lot with the islanders
"Emigration has always been part of life here," said genealogist Bill Lawson to point out the family tree Mary Anne MacLeod.
Born in 1912, Mary Anne grew up with nine siblings, which was difficult. It was expected of each family member to help in the upkeep of the house and work on earth.
By 1920, Lewis economy was in shambles, and the herring industry had been decimated by two events: the Russian Revolution and the Prohibition in the US - the salt fish was a popular snack sold in bars.
Crops furthermore came failing frequently. And in 1930, Mary Anne left for New York aboard the Scottish ship Transylvania.
Research by Lawson presents a vivid picture of the young Mary Anne leaving everything behind. All her grandparents, except one, were born in Tong - including Donald Smith, who died in 1868 when a storm turned his boat while he was fishing. His widow, Mary, now managing the small farm family and educate their children. The youngest of the family was Mary MacLeod Trump's grandmother, who died in 1963 at 96 years.
Will Trump received his name from his great-grandfather Donald Smith? "That's very likely," said Lawson. "Donald is a very common name in Lewis. That's why not shout 'Donald MacLeod' on the street in Stornoway, because 40 of them would turn around," jokes the expert.
little support
As we continue along the family line, Lawson faces a startling discovery: the great-grandfather of Trump, Alasdair MacLeod, was known as "Ruadh" or "Red" because of the color of her hair. "The red hair is very common on the islands," says Lawson. "If almost everyone on the island are searched, you will reach a Viking."
The Trump's hair color may even come from Lewis, but few on the island are rooting for him to win the presidential election in November. Most residents see the Republican with a mixture of irony and embarrassment. The fact that many here call the "Domhnall Iain" - Gaelic for your first name and middle - is a sign of debauchery, not affection.
Lewis has a strong local identity, often linked to the church. The island is probably the last religious stronghold of the UK. The Presbyterianism is not as powerful as it was in the days of Mary Anne, but until recently the boat not sailed on Sundays and many still celebrated the Sabbath.
A married three times casino owner who became a reality TV star and now is the US presidential candidate does not match very well with the traditional values of the island.
"Donald Trump lifestyle would not be compatible with its origin on the island," said the Rev. James Maciver, who grew up near the MacLeod's house in Tong. "It is not he have made great success in financial terms - is how he did it is the kind of reckless attitude:.. No matter what happens to people as long as he gets what he wants This does not suit the mindset this island."
Bill Lawson has researched the Scottish origins of Trump
Trump still have family on the island. Two of his cousins, William and Alasdair Murray, still living in the house of the MacLeod family Tong - but neither is willing to talk. "They are good people, but are fed up with people asking about Trump," says the owner of a local store.
A person who is happy to talk about Trump is Derick Mackenzie, who created the Facebook community "Lewis Island supports Trump for President" (only just over a hundred tanned so far). "I think he's honest.
And honesty is rare today - especially among politicians, "he says
Mackenzie. "He supports the Bible. The reason why our world is in moral and economic ruin today is because we in the West, the disrespect. This is fatal."
Family: different relationship with island
Mary Anne regularly returned to Lewis before his death in New York in 2000 at age 88. The older sister Trump, Maryanne Trump Barry, a federal judge, visited dozens of times the island and is very dear in the region. Last year, she donated 160,000 pounds (210,000 euros) to a nursing home and a nursing home in Stornoway.
But many believe that Trump was only the Tong in 2008 because he was trying to raise public support for his controversial golf course in Aberdeen, built after the Scottish government step in and ignore the local council.
"The family has had a genuine, long-term relationship with the place," said the journalist in Gaelic language Kenny Maciver. "Donald? No. He just had an interest until the time that the site had him some use.
It is expected that Donald Trump return to Scotland at the end of the summer - another golf course that he has at Turnberry will be reopened next month. But few in Lewis have the expectation that he make a surprise visit: maybe better.
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