Donald Trump took centre stage last night as the narrowing of the vast field of Republican US presidential hopefuls started in earnest.
His status as the top performer in several recent national polls secured him the prime spot in the first TV debate of the 2016 campaign hosted by Fox News.
The billionaire businessman – who was due to set out his stall alongside nine other hopefuls – cancelled a planned visit to his Menie Estate golf course in Aberdeenshire last week as he got ready to return to the US to resume his bid for the White House.
He has managed to stir-up plenty of controversy already, notably with comments he made about Mexican immigrants and an attack on rival John McCain’s war record.
But the 69-year-old’s message is clearly resonating with large sections of the Republican vote as he has defied predictions to become a front-runner for the party’s nomination.
In typical style, he has said he expects to win not just that race – but the presidency as well.
Many Americans living in Scotland were planning to stay up to watch the showdown, which aired in the UK from 2am today.
But the Republicans among them will have no say over their preferred candidate as only the Democrats allow members living abroad to vote in a dedicated overseas primary.
The reality TV star’s position in the middle of the pack contrasts with the one afforded to David Cameron in the seven-way TV debate ahead of May’s UK general election.
The prime minister found himself on the edge of the group of party leaders, after lots were drawn to determine the podium order.
Then-Labour leader Ed Miliband was in the centre and Mr Cameron was flanked by Nicola Sturgeon on his right.
Also taking part in last night’s debate was former Florida governor Jeb Bush.
He is the favourite of the wealthy donors and business leaders who make up the establishment wing of the Republican Party, but has so far struggled to break away from the field.
As the son and brother of former presidents, he also faces questions about whether his nomination would mark a return to the past.
Wisconsin governor Scott Walker, whose victories over unions in his home state secured his national profile, was also ready to do battle with Mr Trump.
As in the 2012 Republican primaries, the party faces a tug-of-war between those eager for a candidate with broad election appeal and those who think the key to winning is nominating a fiery conservative.
Mr Trump does not fit neatly into any one segment of the party, and some commentators have attributed that to his appeal with voters frustrated with Washington and career politicians.
Some Republicans do, however, fear his controversial campaign comments have tainted the public’s view of the party as a whole.
In the wake of one of his outbursts the Professional Golf Association of America announced it had been “mutually agreed” that the Grand Slam of Golf, a 36-hole event contested by the year’s Major winners, would not take place as scheduled at Trump National in Los Angeles in October.
But, speaking as he arrived at Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire as he arrived for the British Women’s Open last week, the New York-based businessman said he had been successful in the polls because he had put the immigration issue in the spotlight.
As he got ready for the debate, Mr Trump posted online: “I look forward to tonight’s ‘debate’ – but look far more forward to making America great again. It can happen!”
The debate was the first of six scheduled before primary voting begins in February.
Fox News used five national polls to decide which 10 of the 17 candidates would take part.