Hundreds Protest Trump’s Scotland Visit as President Golfs Under Tight Security

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Edinburgh and Aberdeen on Saturday to voice strong opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland, as the president spent his first full day playing golf at his Turnberry resort under heavy security.

Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Donald, Donald, hear us shout, all of Scotland wants you out,” while waving placards and Palestinian flags. The protests were partly fuelled by Trump’s recent remark that France’s recognition of a Palestinian state “doesn’t matter.”

Security was at maximum alert around the Trump Turnberry course in South Ayrshire, with military personnel, counter-terrorism police, snipers, and restricted access for locals and press. President Trump, known for his fondness for golf, drove around the course in a cart while blaring music including Billy Joel’s Uptown Girl and Simon & Garfunkel’s Bridge Over Troubled Water.

The U.S. president arrived in Scotland on Friday night, landing at Prestwick Airport before heading to the golf resort he purchased in 2014. Police Scotland implemented road closures and deployed a significant number of officers to secure the area.

Protests were also staged outside the U.S. consulate in Edinburgh, where crowds gathered from midday. Access to the consulate had been blocked off since early morning. The Stop Trump Coalition organized the protest, and Police Scotland remained on high alert for demonstrations near the president’s golf course.

In Aberdeen, Green Party MSP Maggie Chapman addressed a rally, saying:

“We stand in solidarity not only against Trump but against everything he and his politics represent — denial of climate change, cuts to essential services, and disregard for human rights.”

A brief altercation occurred near the protest’s end, when a passer-by confronted demonstrators waving Palestinian flags. Police intervened to de-escalate the situation.

Trump’s itinerary includes meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday. Scottish First Minister John Swinney is also expected to meet with the president and has urged protesters to remain peaceful and lawful.

The visit has sparked controversy, especially after Swinney confirmed that £180,000 in public funds would support the upcoming Nexo Championship at Trump’s Aberdeenshire golf course. Critics, including Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie, slammed the move, calling it akin to “giving pocket money to the school bully.”

With an estimated 1,500 officers redeployed from England and Wales, Police Scotland has warned that the presidential visit is stretching national policing resources.

Chief Superintendent Rob Hay of the Association of Scottish Police Superintendents noted:

“Planning for President Trump’s private visit demands significant operations that strain everything from local patrols to national command centres.”

President Trump is expected to remain in Scotland through Monday as protests continue across the country.