5000 police officers deployed as Trump set to arrive at Turnberry Scotland
Donald Trump’s arrival in Scotland has triggered a massive security operation, with the country’s largest police presence since the Queen’s funeral.
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Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney has come under fire for telling protestors to behave “peacefully and lawfully” as “they do Scotland proud” ahead of US President Donald Trump’s arrival.
Large protests are expected across the country on Saturday by thousands of people voicing their anger at Mr Trump’s political views and annoyance that he is visiting the UK to open a new 18-hole golf course at Menie in Aberdeenshire.
Mr Swinney said on Thursday (Friday AEST): “The right to peaceful demonstration is something we cherish.
“Everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful manner.
“I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud”.
The front page of the British papers hit out at Mr Swinney - The Sun’s Scottish edition on Friday had the headline, “Swinney ‘Whipping Up’ Don Demos” while the Daily Express newspaper’s headline read: “Swinney blasted for ‘Dog Whistle’ Anti-Trump Demos Bid”.
Heavy police presence has swarmed US President Donald Trump’s famous Turnberry golf course as security continues to increase ahead of his arrival into Scotland.
Many roads surrounding the world-famous Turnberry golf course were closed off on Thursday night (Friday AM AEST), temporary road closures and no standing signs installed at Turnberry in South Ayrshire, about 85km south of Glasgow ahead of Mr Trump’s five-day private visit.
The US President is expected to arrive at Glasgow’s Prestwick Airport on Friday and it will be the biggest police presence in Scotland since the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022.
About 5000 officers from Scottish Police have been called in to work 12-hour days while Mr Trump is visiting the UK and a “ring of steel” has been also erected around Trump Turnberry to ensure the area is safe from any security threats.
Many signs saying ‘road closed’ have been installed and there are also checkpoints in place that are only allowing people with ‘authorised access’ to enter.
Activist group Stop Trump Coalition has also organised protests to be held during Mr Trump’s visit to Scotland including outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, in Aberdeen’s city centre and at Dumfries in the southwest of the country.
The protests will be held on Saturday as part of the group’s move to “resist Trump and Trumpism” as it describes on their website.
During the visit Mr Trump is expected to formally open a lavish new 18-hole golf course at Menie, about 17km north of Aberdeen, named after his late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, who was born in Scotland.
While details of his visit to Scotland remain limited, he is expected to also hold talks with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday but there will be no press conference.
Very little information has been provided from 10 Downing Street on the meeting however it has been reported that 12 American journalists will be invited to attend.
Mr Trump is also expected to meet with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney – the nation’s leader who publicly backed US Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris in the 2024 election – which drew criticism from Mr Trump.
He described Mr Swinney’s comments at the time as “nasty”.
After the private visit is completed by Mr Trump he is due to return to the UK in September for a state visit – his second as US president and the first time during his second term in office.
The three-day state visit will be held from Wednesday, September 17 to Friday, September 19 and Mr Trump will be accompanied by his wife, First Lady Melania Trump.
The state visit coincides with a parliamentary break which means Mr Trump will not be offered the opportunity to address parliament like French President Emmanuel Macron was given the opportunity to do during his official state visit to the UK earlier this month.
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