Hundreds of protesters gathered in Edinburgh and Aberdeen on Saturday to voice their opposition to Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland.
Demonstrators waved anti-Trump slogans objecting to his five-day trip to the country, while others brought “free Gaza” signs and Palestinian flags. The support for the wartorn territory comes after the president said on Friday that France’s recognition of a Palestinian state “doesn’t matter”.
Mr Trump, meanwhile, took to the golf course on the first full day of his visit, playing at Trump Turnberry in South Ayrshire under the watchful eye of heavy security. The president teed off at his luxury resort at about 10am.
The army, navy and counterterrorism police were all present at Turnberry to complete security checks on the course with police snipers on standby in scaffolding set up nearby.
Sniffer dogs were seen patrolling the golf course, with the navy carrying out sweeps in the water beside the seaside course, while army vehicles were spotted on the nearby A77.
Mr Trump listened to “Uptown Girl” by Billy Joel, “Memory” by Elaine Paige and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel as he drove his golf buggy.
The president flew into Scotland on Friday night, and after touching down at the nearby Prestwick airportm headed for the golf resort, which he bought in 2014.
Road closures were put in place by police with limited access for locals and members of the media. A large number of police and military personnel were spotted searching the grounds on Saturday morning ahead of Mr Trump’s game.
Protesters who attended the demonstrations on Saturday insisted that Mr Trump is “not welcome here”. First minister John Swinney, set to meet with the president during his time in Scotland, has urged people to protest “peacefully and within the law”.
Access to the US consulate in Regent Terrace, Edinburgh, was blocked since 7am on Saturday ahead of the protest there, which started at midday and saw hundreds of people gather.
One participant, Louise Brown, joined the rally wearing a Handmaid costume from Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale, a statement about the US president’s alleged stance on women’s rights.
She said she had travelled from Newcastle to Edinburgh for the protest, as she accused him of “eroding women’s rights, trans rights, gay rights, immigration rights. There’s too much to list.
“I know he loves Scotland because of his mother. He doesn’t normally care about protests but maybe he might care a little bit about one in Scotland, I don’t know,” she said.
In Aberdeen, Green MSP Maggie Chapman told the crowd: “We stand in solidarity not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics stand for.
“He believes that climate change isn’t real, he believes that cutting services for those in the world with the least is the right thing to do. We say no to all of those things, not in our name, never in our name.”
Tension brewed at the edge of the rally during the final speech when a passer-by appeared to argue with protesters wearing Palestinian colours. Police intervened and led the individual away.
As speeches ended, chants of “Trump Trump Trump, out out out” could be heard, along with “Donald, Donald, hear us shout, all of Scotland wants you out”.
Police Scotland asked for support from other forces across the UK to bolster officer numbers with 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.
Some 1,500 police officers have been redeployed across England and Wales for Mr Trump’s private visit following concerns from police that the trip would “undoubtedly stretch” police resources.
Scotland’s first minister faced criticism himself on Saturday, after announcing £180,000 of public money would support a tournament at the Trump International golf links in Aberdeenshire.
The 2025 Nexo Championship – previously known as the Scottish Championship – is set to take place there next month.
Mr Swinney said: “The Scottish government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy.”
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie likened Mr Swinney’s announcement to “handing some pocket money to the school bully basically with £180,000 to support a golf tournament at the Menie estate”.
While the president was expected to spend much of his first day in Scotland on his course, Mr Trump has meetings scheduled with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday and Sir Keir Starmer on Monday.
