A major security operation is underway as former U.S. President Donald Trump begins a private visit to Scotland, kicking off the trip with a round of golf at his luxury Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire.
Trump teed off at around 10 a.m. on Saturday, following his arrival at Prestwick Airport the previous evening. He was seen enjoying the course with his son Eric, U.S. Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens, and Stephens’ son. Their group was accompanied by an entourage that included 15 golf buggies. A summer round at the exclusive course can cost up to £1,000.
Despite extensive security measures, including road closures, checkpoints, and a large fence around the course, the day passed without incident. No protesters were spotted at Turnberry, though Trump waved to photographers perched on nearby sand dunes as he made his way to the fourth tee.
Meanwhile, demonstrations took place in Edinburgh and Aberdeen, where hundreds gathered to protest Trump’s visit. Many carried placards referencing his views on climate change and the Israel-Gaza conflict, as well as slogans made famous by comedian Janey Godley during Trump’s previous visit in 2018.
“It’s kind of like a carnival of resistance,” said Anita Bhadani, a coordinator for the Stop Trump Coalition protest outside the U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh. “We’re seeing so many campaign groups turn out, whether at rallies or in their local communities.”
At the Aberdeen rally, protester Nicola Seal voiced concerns about the cost of the visit: “We shouldn’t be hosting him. It’s costing taxpayers a fortune and stretching police resources.”
Trump’s visit comes ahead of planned meetings with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney in the coming days. He’s also expected to attend the opening of a new 18-hole course at his Trump International estate in Aberdeenshire.
The Scottish government drew attention Saturday by announcing £180,000 in public funding for a golf tournament at Trump’s Aberdeenshire course in August. The event, the 2025 Nexo Championship on the DP World Tour, will run from August 7–10.
First Minister Swinney said the support highlights golf’s importance to the country and Aberdeenshire’s standing as a premier golfing destination. But the decision drew sharp criticism from Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie, who compared it to “handing pocket money to the school bully.”
Trump is also set to meet European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade. He is expected to fly back to Washington on Tuesday but will return for an official UK state visit in September. During that visit, King Charles is set to host Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle an honor rarely afforded to presidents serving a second term.
At Prestwick, Trump briefly spoke with reporters, calling it “great to be in Scotland” and praising the UK and Scottish governments. He also reignited old grievances about wind farms, saying European nations need to “get your act together” on migration and “stop the windmills.”
Trump has long opposed wind energy projects near his golf courses. In 2019, his company lost a legal battle to block an offshore wind farm near his Aberdeenshire course, which he claimed would ruin the view.
Looking ahead to his meeting with Trump, First Minister Swinney said he intends to represent Scotland’s interests, particularly in trade and U.S.-Scotland business relations. He also plans to raise international concerns, including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. He urged protestors to demonstrate peacefully and within the law.
Visits to Scotland by sitting U.S. presidents are rare. The last few decades have seen only a handful: Dwight D. Eisenhower visited Balmoral in 1957, George W. Bush attended the G8 summit in Gleneagles in 2005, and Joe Biden participated in the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow in 2021.
Trump remains the only U.S. president to visit Scotland twice while in office. His first trip in 2018 was marked by widespread protests and even a paraglider breach of the airspace over Turnberry. He returned again in 2023, two years after leaving the White House.
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