Trump To Arrive In Scotland For Five-Day Visit
Donald Trump will arrive in Scotland today for a five-day visit packed with meetings, media attention, and golf course grand openings. While the White House calls it a “working trip,” critics argue it’s another example of Trump blending presidential duties with personal business, as he opens a new 18-hole course in Aberdeenshire and spends the weekend at his Turnberry resort.
Though official business is on the agenda, including a low-key meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and a sit-down with First Minister John Swinney, expectations for any policy breakthroughs during this trip are low. The meetings are being billed as more about building relationships than negotiating deals. According to a White House official, Trump “genuinely likes” Starmer, and the visit is meant to reinforce ties between the UK and the US.
However, protests over Trump's visit are casting a long shadow over the trip. Demonstrators are expected in multiple cities, including Aberdeen and Edinburgh, voicing concerns over Trump’s record on climate change, foreign policy, and his long-standing feud with local communities and conservationists. Activists have accused him of treating Scotland like a “vanity project,” especially in light of past disputes over wind farms and land use near his golf properties.
Despite the controversy, Trump remains focused on promoting his resorts. He’s dedicating the new course to his Scottish-born mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, and appears unfazed by criticism or rainy forecasts. Still, his presence, security requirements, and the protests are expected to cost Scottish authorities millions, all for a visit that feels more personal than presidential.
