Cliff Notes
- Donald Trump‘s visit to his Turnberry golf course in Scotland prompted extensive security measures, including road closures, police and military presence, and sniffer dogs.
- Hours before his first round of golf, Trump issued a warning to Europe regarding immigration and praised UK politician Sir Keir Starmer as a “good man.”
- Hundreds of protesters gathered in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, with calls for peaceful demonstrations against Trump’s presence while police sought support to manage security during his visit.
Huge security operation as Donald Trump tees off at his Scottish golf course | UK News
Donald Trump has been spotted on his golf course in Scotland, with a massive security operation keeping both media and locals at a distance.
Roads were closed around the Turnberry course as a large number of police and army, and navy personnel were seen searching the grounds before the US president teed off on Saturday, the first full day of his UK visit.
Sniffer dogs patrolled the course, snipers were deployed, a police helicopter hovered overhead and a boat sat off the coast.
His first round of golf came hours after an attack on Europe, in which the US president told Europe to “get your act together” on immigration, which he said was “killing” the continent.
But he had words of praise for Sir Keir Starmer after touching down in Ayrshire on Friday, describing him as a “good man” while adding he is “slightly more liberal than I am”.
Mr Trump is due to have talks with Sir Keir and Scottish First Minister John Swinney, as well as discussing trade with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The president headed straight to the resort, which he bought in 2014 and which he wants to see host The Open, after landing.
Saturday will be the first real test of Police Scotland during the visit as it looks to control the demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, as well as any that spring up near the president’s course.
The force has asked for support from others around the UK to bolster officer numbers, with both organisations representing senior officers and the rank-and-file claiming there is likely to be an impact on policing across the country for the duration of the visit.
Before the visit started, Mr Swinney appealed to Scots to protest “peacefully and within the law”.
Hundreds of protesters had gathered in both cities by early afternoon, with demonstrators in the centre of Aberdeen seen waving banners with anti-Trump slogans, while one came dressed as the president with a large papier mache head.
Some members of the crowd also showed their support for Gaza, waving Palestinian flags.
On the golf course, the US president was followed by more than a dozen other buggies.
Mr Trump is expected to open a second course at another of his golf resorts in Balmedie in Aberdeenshire while he is in the country.