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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
National
Daniel Morrow & Kris Gourlay

Inside President Joe Biden's COP26 stint - snipers, secret 'nerve centre' and the safest car in the world

US President Joe Biden is part of a long list of world leaders and delegates that have descended into Scotland for the COP26 climate change summit.

The 46th President of The United States has attracted a lot of media and public attention since his arrival in Edinburgh on Monday and has also sparked controversy over the choice of hotel he is staying at just outside the city.

Biden will be joined by around 30,000 other people visiting Glasgow between now and the end of the event on November 12.

READ MORE - COP26: Joe Biden stayed at Edinburgh hotel after being snubbed by Gleneagles

The summit has been declared by many as the 'last chance' to tackle to global climate crisis after previous events have led to few changes.

World leaders are also expected to discuss potential measure to help limit the impact of global warming.

Whilst Biden remains in Scotland, there are of course several security measure that have been put in place to guarantee the safety of one of the most influential figures in the world, as the Daily Record reports.

Arrival in Scotland

Biden descended onto Glasgow surrounded by 20 other vehicles. (PA)

Joe Biden touched down at Edinburgh Airport aboard Air Force One on Monday afternoon and was pictured being driven down the M8 motorway heading towards Glasgow.

Controversy surrounding the size of the president's motorcade of around 20 vehicles was amongst the topics of conversation, as well as a number of road closures that were put in place in securing his arrival to the event.

Joe Biden's Vehicle

Biden's car has been branded 'the safest car in the world' (AFP via Getty Images)

Biden's vehicle, or 'the beast', as it's more commonly known as, will be used to carry the president to a number of different venues whilst in Scotland.

The vehicle was made by Cadillac and reportedly cost around £1.3 million to produce.

When the Mirror reported on the vehicle during Trump's presidency in 2018, the car was said to be kitted out with several security defence systems that would withstand an attack.

The doors and windows are bulletproof and the vehicle is said to be carrying bags of the President's blood incase he is injured.

The 'safest car in the world' weighs around eight tonnes and is also packed with weaponry, including tear gas and a pump-action shotgun.

Where Biden is staying

Biden is staying at the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club on the outskirts of Edinburgh. (Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club)

President Biden is staying at the Dalmahoy Hotel and Country Club on the outskirts of Edinburgh during his stay in Scotland, with special security agents supposedly turning the wine cellar into a 'nerve centre' for the President.

The room, which typically holds hundreds of bottles, was turned into a monitoring room to scout the area for possible threats.

Secret agents were reportedly called into action on Tuesday after large crowds gathered outside the venue of COP26.

Biden was due to speak about methane gases but was ushered off the stage by security officials.

Hundreds of white hydrangeas, which is the favourite flower of First Lady Jill Biden, were brought in to spruce the President's room up. These are planned just before she had to pull out of the trip to Scotland, joining the Queen on the list of absentees.

It looked like Biden couldn't wait to get back into the comfort of his hotel room, as he appeared to doze off during day two of the summit.

How long will Biden stay in Scotland

Unfortunately, Biden's team initially stated that the US President would only be attending the first few days of the event on November 1 and 2 so he is expected to return to America shortly.

It is currently unclear if his team have made any alternative arrangements.

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