A Golfing Trump Is Greeted by Protesters in Scotland
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Donald Trump visit LIVE as UK protesters demonstrate against US president
Lone protester slams Trump at golf course with brutal Scottish insult. Matt Halliday, 55, from Stranraer, came to Turnberry today bearing two placards. One featured a picture of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, and another of a set of bagpipes.
Lone protester slams Trump at golf course with brutal Scottish insult
A lone protester braved the massive police presence at Donald Trump’s golf course to protest against his visit to Scotland.
Trump enjoyed a morning round of golf with the protection of thousands of British police officers – while protests against his trip to Scotland raged elsewhere.
The sole protester at Turnberry – Matt Halliday, 55, from Stranraer – came to Turnberry today bearing two placards.
One featured a picture of Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein, and another of a set of bagpipes. The message read: “TRUMP GO HOME: The only “blowhard” pumped up windbags that we want to listen to are these bad boys”.
The second placard was much less family friendly. “I’m here to show my displeasure at Trump being here,” he told the Mirror.
“I just find him morally repugnant. I see what he’s doing in the states, rolling back civil rights for women and minorities, folk getting lifted from their houses, medicaid getting taken away – and he comes here and thinks he’s got the authority to pontificate to us.”
Read the full story here.
Huge military operation locks down Scottish golf course as Donald Trump plays a round after warning ‘horrible invasion’ of migrants is ‘killing Europe’
The US President teed off at about 10.15am, accompanied by his son, Eric, and a phalanx of Secret Service agents. Mr Trump was filmed striking an iron before receiving a high-five from a caddy – suggesting the shot went as hoped. He touched down at Prestwick Airport on Friday night, where he greeted the media by warning that a ‘horrible invasion’ of migrants was ‘killing’ Europe. The private visit has now commandeered almost a third of Police Scotland’s manpower and this morning officers in high viz vests were seen swarming over greens, tees and fairways. Police also have road closures in place, with limited access for locals and members of the media. Protesters are expected to gather in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen later on today, with the Stop Trump coalition planning what it has described as a ‘festival of resistance’ Mr Trump will head to Aberdeenshire later in his visit and is expected to open a second course at his golf resort in Balmedie.
The US President, sporting a white ‘USA’ baseball cap, teed off at about 10.15am, accompanied by his son, Eric, and a phalanx of Secret Service agents.
Mr Trump was filmed striking an iron before receiving a high-five from a caddy – suggesting the shot went as hoped.
He touched down at Prestwick Airport on Friday night, where he greeted the media by warning that a ‘horrible invasion’ of migrants was ‘killing’ Europe.
The private visit has now commandeered almost a third of Police Scotland’s manpower and this morning officers in high viz vests were seen swarming over greens, tees and fairways, while snipers overlooked it from watchtowers.
Police also have road closures in place, with limited access for locals and members of the media. Amid the search, a few golfers were also spotted at the course, enjoying an early-morning game.
Mr Trump is staying at Turnberry for the start of a five-day private visit to Scotland which will see him have talks with both UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney.
A meeting has also been scheduled for him to talk about trade with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday.
Mr Trump is staying at Turnberry for the start of a five-day private visit to Scotland
Mr Trump was filmed striking an iron before receiving a high-five from a caddy – suggesting the shot went as hoped
The Beast was spotted this morning decked out with a Saltire
The giant operation is thought to involve one third of Police Scotland’s manpower
Police snipers on the roof of Trump Turnberry during the president’s visit
The President is a well-known golf enthusiast who regularly boasts about his Scottish courses
With no talks apparently scheduled today, the President – a well-known golf enthusiast – is free to enjoy a round.
However, protests have been planned, with opponents of Mr Trump expected to gather in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen later on today, with the Stop Trump coalition planning what it has described as being a ‘festival of resistance’.
As well as visiting Trump Turnberry, Mr Trump will head to Aberdeenshire later in his visit and is expected to open a second course at his golf resort in Balmedie.
As he landed in Ayrshire yesterday, the President took questions from journalists, telling Europe to ‘get your act together’ on immigration, which he said was ‘killing’ the continent.
He also praised Sir Keir, who he described as a ‘good man’, but added that the UK Prime Minister is ‘slightly more liberal than I am’.
Today will be the first real test of Police Scotland during the visit as it looks to control the demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, as well as any which spring up near to the president’s course.
The force has asked for support from others around the UK to bolster officer numbers, with both organisations representing senior officers and the rank-and-file claiming there is likely to be an impact on policing across the country for the duration of the visit.
Before the visit started, Mr Swinney appealed to Scots to protest ‘peacefully and within the law’.
Mr Trump was accompanied by a huge entourage, including a caddy and a phalanx of Secret Service agents
Mr Trump’s son, Eric, accompanied him during his morning round
Mr Trump is a keen golfer and often speaks about his love for Turnberry
At one point, Mr Trump appeared to veer off the fairway and into the rough
The president strikes a ball during this morning’s round
Secret Service agents in golf buggies carry out searches at Trump Turnberry prior to Donald Trump’s round of golf
Mr Trump waves from his buggy as he enjoys a round at Turnberry
The president is not allowed to drive cars on the road due to security rules – but golf buggies appear to the an exception
A police sniffer dog helped to ensure the course was clear for Mr Trump
Snipers watch on from the clubhouse roof
There is a massive media presence at the golf course in Aberdeenshire
Mr Trump holds a put on the fourth hole of his Turnberry golf course
This wider view gives an idea of the size of the president’s entourage
The trip has now commandeered almost a third of Police Scotland’s manpower and this morning officers in high viz vests were seen swarming over greens, tees and fairways
Police officers and soldiers sweep the golf course with search poles this morning
The massive operation will ensure the President has nothing to worry about during his round
Police also have road closures in place around Trump Turnberry, which a police officer is seen searching today
Mr Trump leans out of his buggy to find a ball during his round
The president walks away amid celebrations for a holed putt
The course is surrounded by sand dunes and beaches, which are also being searched
The visit is expected to require a security operation as big as the arrangements for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in September 2022 – involving up to 6,000 officers – with taxpayers again facing a bill of more than £3million for policing his stay.
On the Prestwick runway Mr Trump renewed his war against the expansion of wind farms, which he previously opposed off the coast of his Menie course in Aberdeenshire.
He told reporters: ‘I say two things to Europe: stop the windmills, you are ruining your countries.
‘I really mean it. It’s so sad, you fly over and you see these windmills all over the place ruining your beautiful fields and valleys and killing your birds and if they are stuck in your oceans ruining your oceans.
‘On immigration, you’d better get your act together or you are not going to have Europe any more.’
He said he will be meeting with ‘numerous executives’ and ‘a lot of people’ at Turnberry and Aberdeen, which he said ‘is the oil capital of Europe’.
He said his talks with Sir Keir will be a ‘celebration’ of the US/UK trade deal but played down the prospects of changes, saying ‘the deal is concluded’.
Security fencing has been set up around parts of the course to screen it off from the general public
The size of a golf course like Turnberry makes securing it a particular challenge
Soldiers were brought in to help with the search, which saw almost every inch of the course scoured by hand
Police used sticks to comb through the undergrowth
Searches continue at Trump Turnberry this morning amid the high-profile visit
At least a dozen officers form a line to search one single fairway on the course
Mr Trump has talked up the prospect of his Turnberry resort hosting the Open
The roof of the clubhouse is occupied by security staff and police snipers
A police boat bobbing offshore
Mr Trump also talked up the prospect of his Turnberry resort hosting the Open and dismissing concerns that infrastructure must be improved first.
He said: ‘I don’t know, the best course anywhere in the world is Turnberry, the players all want to be at Turnberry, everybody wants to be at Turnberry so we will see how that works out.’
As he set off from the White House on Air Force One, President Trump spoke of his love for Scotland and said at the time that he wants to talk about improvements to the US/UK trade deal with Sir Keir.
After landing late at Prestwick, he travelled to Trump Turnberry.
Business leaders say the trip is a ‘huge opportunity’ to strengthen Scotland’s economic ties with the world’s biggest economy and can pave the way for detailed discussions on trade and tariffs.
Talking about his plans with Sir Keir before leaving the US, Mr Trump said they will be having dinner at Turnberry then travelling to Aberdeen, which he described as ‘the oil capital of Europe’ to have lunch.
He said: ‘We are going to have a good time, the Prime Minister and I get along very well.’
On his proposed meeting with Mr Swinney, he said: ‘I have a lot of love (for Scotland), my mother was born in Scotland.
‘The Scottish leader’s a good man, and I look forward to meeting him.’
Turning to an aide, he said: ‘That’s all set up, right?’
People take part in a Stop Trump Scotland protest at the Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen
Anti-Trump demonstrators gather during a rally organised by the campaign group Stop Trump Coalition in Edinburgh
Demonstrators hold placards during a ‘Stop Trump Coalition’ protest near the US Consulate building in Edinburgh
Some demonstrators in Edinburgh waved Palestine flags
One man carried a piece of fabric showing Mr Trump’s faced crossed out
Air Force One touched down at Prestwick Airport at around 8.30pm yesterday
Mr Trump spoke to members of the press after his transatlantic flight
Huge crowds turned out to see the US President arrive in the UK
Scotch whisky chiefs are desperate for the President to reduce or scrap the 10 per cent duty imposed on exports of malts and blends to the US.
Asked whether he will be doing any business deals with the UK, he said: ‘Yeah I’m going to meet with the Prime Minister right now, we’re going to be over there in about six hours, we’re meeting with the Prime Minister tonight.
‘We’re going to be talking about the trade deal that we made and maybe even improve it.’
He added that they will discuss ‘certain aspects that are good for both countries’ and also ‘do a little celebrating’.
Mr Trump was greeted by Labour’s Scottish Secretary Ian Murray at Turnberry, despite the Edinburgh South MP previously backing a House of Commons motion which called for his 2019 State visit to be cancelled and accused him of ‘misogynism, racism and xenophobia’.
The Chancellor Rachel Reeves yesterday said the President’s visit to Scotland is in the ‘national interest’.
She said: ‘It’s in Britain’s national interest to have strong relations with the US administration and as a result of both that long-term special relationship, but actually more importantly, the work that our Prime Minister Keir Starmer has done in building that relationship with President Trump has meant that we were the first country in the world to secure a trade deal.
‘That has a tangible benefit for people here in Scotland, whether it is people working in the Scotch whisky industry or people working in the defence sector like here at Rolls-Royce, that trade deal means lower tariffs than any country in the world on things that we send to the US.’
Air Force One was the centre of attention as it touched down in Scotland
Business leaders hope the visit will pave the way for agreements which can boost the Scottish and UK economies.
Dr Liz Cameron, chief executive of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, said: ‘There are £30 billion reasons why the USA matters to Scotland and President Trump’s visit is a fantastic platform to showcase the best of Scottish business on a global stage.
‘We have a President who understands business, is a deal maker, is personally and financially invested in our nation, and appreciates the value of our world class products and services.
‘That’s a strong basis for a special relationship and a huge opportunity to strengthen Scotland’s economic ties with the world’s biggest economy and our largest export market outside the EU.’
Ahead of his own talks with the President, Mr Swinney said the meeting will be an opportunity to ‘essentially speak out for Scotland’ on international issues such as Gaza, as well as trade and the increase of business from the United States in Scotland.
He said: ‘There are clearly also significant international issues upon which the people of Scotland have a view and want to have that view expressed by their First Minister.
‘That relates to the awfulness of the situation in Gaza and the unbearable human suffering that is going on in Gaza.
‘I want to make sure that those concerns and those views are expressed to the president of the United States.
‘We have that opportunity, and I intend to take that opportunity to make sure that Scotland’s voice is heard.’
Mr Swinney also urged all of those set to protest against the president’s visit to do so ‘peacefully and to do so within the law’.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen will meet US President Donald Trump in Scotland on Sunday.
Ms von der Leyen made the announcement on X, saying: ‘Following a good call with @POTUS, we have agreed to meet in Scotland on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations, and how we can keep them strong.’
Anti-Trump Protests Hit Scotland Amid Military Lockdown
Anti-Trump protests took place in Scotland on Saturday as the president began a five-day visit centered around visits to his golf courses near Turnberry, in West Ayrshire, and in Aberdeenshire. Trump landed at Glasgow’s Prestwick airport just before 8:30 p.m. BST on Friday where he was greeted by Ian Murray, Scottish secretary in the British government, and U.S. ambassador to the U.K. Warren Stephens. He made his way to the Trump Turnberry golf course, the BBC reporting he traveled in a motorcade of more than two dozen vehicles, with police closing off a number of roads and British military personnel carrying out a security sweep around the course. He is due to visit Britain again later this year for a state visit during which he will meet King Charles III.
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A number of anti-Trump protests took place in Scotland on Saturday as the president began a five-day visit centered around visits to his golf courses near Turnberry, in West Ayrshire, and in Aberdeenshire.
Meetings with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also planned.
Why It Matters
President Trump was met with large demonstrations during visits to the U.K. in his first term. He is due to visit Britain again later this year for a state visit during which he will meet King Charles III.
What To Know
Trump landed at Glasgow’s Prestwick airport just before 8:30 p.m. BST on Friday where he was greeted by Ian Murray, Scottish secretary in the British government, and U.S. ambassador to the U.K. Warren Stephens.
He made his way to the Trump Turnberry golf course, the BBC reporting he traveled in a motorcade of more than two dozen vehicles, with police closing off a number of roads and British military personnel carrying out a security sweep around the course.
On Saturday anti-Trump demonstrations took place in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumfries with photographs shared on X showing protesters holding signs bearing slogans including “Stop Trump, Free Gaza” and “Pipe Down Donald.”
According to Scottish newspaper The National the demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh each involved hundreds of people, with Green Party Members of the Scottish Parliament present at the former.
Hundreds of protesters gather outside the office of the Consulate General of the United States against a visit to Scotland by the President of the United States, Donald Trump on July 26, 2025 in Edinburgh,… Hundreds of protesters gather outside the office of the Consulate General of the United States against a visit to Scotland by the President of the United States, Donald Trump on July 26, 2025 in Edinburgh, Scotland. More Ian Forsyth/GETTY
The publication reacted to Trump’s upcoming arrival in Scotland on Friday with the front page headline “Convicted US Felon to Arrive in Scotland.”
However Trump did receive a positive reception from some, with video shared on social media showing people waving to his motorcade, while two people held up a banner reading “Trump The Legend.”
Saturday also saw a demonstration in Glasgow, Scotland’s most populous city, by the right-wing UK Independence Party, calling for “deportations now” with marchers waving Union Jacks and Scottish Saltires.
Immediately after Trump arrived in the UK on Friday he sparked controversy by claiming Europe was facing a “horrible invasion” adding: “You better get your act together or you’re not going to have Europe anymore.”
What People Are Saying
Earlier Herald Scotland reporter Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco shared images from Aberdeen on X adding: “Here in Aberdeen, ahead of large anti-Trump protests this afternoon. The city centre is full of police officers.”
GB News reporter Ben Leo shared a photograph from the Edinburgh demonstration adding: “A few Palestine flags, Extinction Rebellion flags and ‘migrants welcome’ signs at the Edinburgh Trump protest. It’s like an excuse just to protest *something* – if not particularly anything.”
What Happens Next
Trump’s Scotland visit is due to head to Aberdeenshire where he is open a new course at his golf club dedicated to his Scottish mother who was born on the Isle of Lewis. He is also due to hold meeting with Starmer and von der Leyen before returning to the U.S. on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump arrives in Scotland
US President Donald Trump arrives in Scotland for a four-day private visit. He is due to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney.
Donald Trump arrived at Prestwick Airport on Friday evening at the start of a four-day visit to Scotland
US President Donald Trump has arrived in Scotland for a four-day private visit.
He is due to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney, but began his first day by playing golf at Trump Turnberry.
His motorcade drove to the luxury resort in South Ayrshire after Air Force One touched down at Prestwick Airport on Friday evening.
A major security operation has been under way in South Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire ahead of the president’s trip.
Security tightens as Donald Trump plays golf at Turnberry
Security tightens as Donald Trump plays golf at Turnberry in South Ayrshire. US president teed off at his luxury resort Trump Turnberry at about 10:00. Trump is due to meet UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney over the next few days. Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Aberdeen and Edinburgh to protest against the visit. Trump’s round coincided with an announcement by the Scottish government that £180,000 of public funding will support a tournament being held at his Aberdeenshire course next month. The 2025 Nexo Championship on the DP World Tour is taking place at Trump International Golf Links from 7-10 August. A round during peak summer season can cost £1,000 at the resort. Trump will travel back to Washington on Tuesday and return to the UK for an official state visit in September. In his remarks to the press at Prestwick, Trump said European countries need to “get your act together” on migration and “mills”
1 hour ago Share Save Mary McCool BBC Scotland News Share Save
Trump waves at the cameras while playing golf at Turnberry
A major security operation has ramped up as Donald Trump played golf on the first day of his private visit to Scotland. The US president teed off at his luxury resort Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire at about 10:00, having arrived at Prestwick Airport on Friday evening. The day passed without incident, while hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Aberdeen and Edinburgh to protest against the visit. Trump is due to meet UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney over the next few days, as well as opening a second 18-hole course at his estate in Aberdeenshire.
The president said it was “great to be in Scotland” and has praised the leaders of both governments.
Questions have already been raised about the scale of the visit and the security implications, with police representatives raising concerns about the costs involved and the impact on staffing. Meanwhile members of the public showed their frustrations towards the president’s politics, including his views on climate change and his position on the conflict between Israel and Gaza, at the protests in Edinburgh and Aberdeen. Many protesters carried signs referring to an expletive slogan made infamous by the late comedian Janey Godley in 2018. Anita Bhadani was among those who helped organise the Stop Trump Coalition protest outside the US Consulate General’s office in Edinburgh. She said: “We are really excited, across this whole weekend, there’s so many campaign groups turning out in the streets, taking in action in their communities or at rallies like this. It’s kind of like a carnival of resistance.” At the Aberdeen rally, protester Nicola Seal said: “We shouldn’t be hosting him. It’s costing vast amounts of taxpayers’ money, sucking enormous amounts of police resource.”
PA Media A demonstration took place in Edinburgh
Demonstrators also gathered outside His Majesty’s Theatre in Aberdeen
Journalists, photographers and plane watchers were among the crowds who gathered to see Air Force One touch down at Prestwick just before 20:30 on Friday. Trump was greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and Warren Stephens, US Ambassador to the UK. The president spoke with journalists before a motorcade made up of more than two dozen vehicles escorted him to Turnberry. A number of roads have been closed in the area and police and military personnel have carried out sweeps around the resort. A security checkpoint has been put in place outside the hotel and a large fence has been erected around the course – although some golfers were able to use the Ailsa course from 07:30.
PA Media Trump plans to spend much of the weekend on the Turnberry course
EPA Trump’s son Eric, centre, was among the many people accompanying the president on his round of golf
PA Media Donald Trump waved to onlookers from his golf buggy
Trump played his round of golf with his son Eric, as well as US Ambassador Warren Stephens and his son. Their entourage included 15 other golf buggies. A round during peak summer season can cost £1,000 at Turnberry. There were no sign of any protesters around the course. Trump waved to photographers who had gathered on a beach dune for a vantage point as he walked to the fourth tee. The White House said that his son Donald Trump Jr was also accompanying him for the weekend.
PA Media A convoy of golf buggies followed Trump around the greens of Turnberry
Trump’s round coincided with an announcement by the Scottish government that £180,000 of public funding will support a tournament being held at his Aberdeenshire course next month. The 2025 Nexo Championship on the DP World Tour is taking place at Trump International Golf Links from 7-10 August. John Swinney said the cash boost showed the government “recognises the importance and benefits” of golf in the country. He added: “As the home of golf, we have a long-standing track record of support and I am proud this funding will further enhance Aberdeenshire’s reputation as a leading golfing destination and I am hopeful of securing further golfing events in future years.” Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie likened the awarding of public cash to the tournament to “handing some pocket money to the school bully”.
Reuters Members of the press gathered to watch Trump on the course
Trump is expected to meet Swinney on Monday, the same day he will see Starmer. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet the president on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations. The US president will travel back to Washington on Tuesday and is due to return to the UK for an official state visit in September. In his remarks to the press at Prestwick, Trump said European countries need to “get your act together” on migration, and “stop the windmills”, referring to wind farms.
PA Media From left to right – Warren Stephens, US Ambassador to the UK, Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and US President Donald Trump at Prestwick
In 2019, his company Trump International lost a long-running court battle to stop a wind power development being built in the North Sea off Aberdeen. Trump argued that the project, which included 11 wind turbines, would spoil the view from his golf course at Menie. Swinney has said his meeting with Trump would present an opportunity to “essentially speak out for Scotland” on issues such as trade and the increase of business from the United States in Scotland. The first minister said he would also raise “significant international issues” including “the awfulness of the situation in Gaza”. He urged those set to protest against the president’s visit to do so “peacefully and to do so within the law”.
Reuters Military personnel and police carried out searches at Turnberry before Trump’s arrival
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/world/europe/trump-protest-scotland.html