Donald Trump lands in Scotland; protests expected over President’s UK visit and golf resort stops
Nancy Jaiswal | Jul 25, 2025, 20:17 IST
Highlight of the story: Donald Trump will visit Scotland for five days, with protests expected across Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumfries. As he meets UK leaders and opens a new golf course, activists plan to rally over Gaza, climate issues and Trump’s Epstein connection.
US President Donald Trump is set to arrive in Scotland on Friday for a five-day private visit. But ahead of his trip, protest groups across the country have already begun preparing to voice their opposition. From trade unions to advocacy groups supporting Palestine and Ukraine, several organizations are planning demonstrations under the collective name of the “Stop Trump Coalition.”
Protests have been scheduled for Saturday in the cities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumfries. The demonstrations are expected to highlight a range of issues from Trump’s alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein, to his stance on Gaza, climate justice, and more.
Police resources to be deployed across Scotland
Police Scotland is preparing for what it expects will be a high-security operation. According to PA Media, thousands of officers will be mobilised during Trump’s visit.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond confirmed the scale of the operation, stating that it “will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces.”
Trump is not expected to interact with the general public. He is likely to stay at his own golf resorts throughout his visit, starting with the Trump Turnberry resort on the west coast, followed by a stop at his other golf course near Aberdeen.
Meetings with UK and Scottish leaders scheduled
During his time in Scotland, Trump will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday. He is also scheduled to meet with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney.
Swinney has said that he plans to raise “global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza.” He added that he will ensure “Scotland’s voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world,” as reported by PA Media.
Trump will also officially open an 18-hole golf course near Aberdeen, which he has dedicated to his late mother, Mary, who was born in Scotland.
Protests have been scheduled for Saturday in the cities of Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumfries. The demonstrations are expected to highlight a range of issues from Trump’s alleged links to Jeffrey Epstein, to his stance on Gaza, climate justice, and more.
Police resources to be deployed across Scotland
Police Scotland is preparing for what it expects will be a high-security operation. According to PA Media, thousands of officers will be mobilised during Trump’s visit.
Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond confirmed the scale of the operation, stating that it “will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces.”
Trump is not expected to interact with the general public. He is likely to stay at his own golf resorts throughout his visit, starting with the Trump Turnberry resort on the west coast, followed by a stop at his other golf course near Aberdeen.
Meetings with UK and Scottish leaders scheduled
During his time in Scotland, Trump will meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday. He is also scheduled to meet with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney.
Swinney has said that he plans to raise “global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza.” He added that he will ensure “Scotland’s voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world,” as reported by PA Media.
Trump will also officially open an 18-hole golf course near Aberdeen, which he has dedicated to his late mother, Mary, who was born in Scotland.