Anti-Trump Protests Hit Scotland Amid Military Lockdown
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A number of anti-Trump protests took place in Scotland on Saturday as the president began a five-day visit centered around visits to his golf courses near Turnberry, in West Ayrshire, and in Aberdeenshire.
Meetings with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are also planned.
Why It Matters
President Trump was met with large demonstrations during visits to the U.K. in his first term. He is due to visit Britain again later this year for a state visit during which he will meet King Charles III.
What To Know
Trump landed at Glasgow's Prestwick airport just before 8:30 p.m. BST on Friday where he was greeted by Ian Murray, Scottish secretary in the British government, and U.S. ambassador to the U.K. Warren Stephens.
He made his way to the Trump Turnberry golf course, the BBC reporting he traveled in a motorcade of more than two dozen vehicles, with police closing off a number of roads and British military personnel carrying out a security sweep around the course.
On Saturday anti-Trump demonstrations took place in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dumfries with photographs shared on X showing protesters holding signs bearing slogans including "Stop Trump, Free Gaza" and "Pipe Down Donald."
According to Scottish newspaper The National the demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh each involved hundreds of people, with Green Party Members of the Scottish Parliament present at the former.
Hundreds of protesters gather outside the office of the Consulate General of the United States against a visit to Scotland by the President of the United States, Donald Trump on July 26, 2025 in Edinburgh,...
Hundreds of protesters gather outside the office of the Consulate General of the United States against a visit to Scotland by the President of the United States, Donald Trump on July 26, 2025 in Edinburgh, Scotland. More
Ian Forsyth/GETTY
The publication reacted to Trump's upcoming arrival in Scotland on Friday with the front page headline "Convicted US Felon to Arrive in Scotland."
However Trump did receive a positive reception from some, with video shared on social media showing people waving to his motorcade, while two people held up a banner reading "Trump The Legend."
Saturday also saw a demonstration in Glasgow, Scotland's most populous city, by the right-wing UK Independence Party, calling for "deportations now" with marchers waving Union Jacks and Scottish Saltires.
Immediately after Trump arrived in the UK on Friday he sparked controversy by claiming Europe was facing a "horrible invasion" adding: "You better get your act together or you're not going to have Europe anymore."
What People Are Saying
Earlier Herald Scotland reporter Josh Pizzuto-Pomaco shared images from Aberdeen on X adding: "Here in Aberdeen, ahead of large anti-Trump protests this afternoon. The city centre is full of police officers."
GB News reporter Ben Leo shared a photograph from the Edinburgh demonstration adding: "A few Palestine flags, Extinction Rebellion flags and 'migrants welcome' signs at the Edinburgh Trump protest. It's like an excuse just to protest *something* - if not particularly anything."
What Happens Next
Trump's Scotland visit is due to head to Aberdeenshire where he is open a new course at his golf club dedicated to his Scottish mother who was born on the Isle of Lewis. He is also due to hold meeting with Starmer and von der Leyen before returning to the U.S. on Tuesday.
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