With Donald Trump’s security crunch as Golf in Turnberry

Major security operations are intensifying when Donald Trump begins a four-day private visit in Scotland.

The U.S. president arrived at Preswick Airport on Friday night and stayed at his luxury golf resort, Trump Turmberry in South Ayrshire.

He wore a white “American” hat and, accompanied by his second son, Eric, drove out a round of golf at the resort at about 10:00 on the first morning of the resort.

Trump will meet with British Prime Minister Sir Kyle Starmer and Scotland’s first minister in the next few days and will hold his second 18-hole course on his Aberdeenshire property.

The president has said “It’s great in Scotland” and praised the leaders of both governments.

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Aberdeen and Edinburgh to protest the visit.

Many mentioned the infamous slogan of late comedian Janey Godley in 2018.

Questions have been raised regarding the scale and security implications of visits, and police representatives raised concerns about the costs involved and the impact on personnel.

Reporter, photographer and Airplane observer Before 20:30 Friday, gathered together to see Air Force One landing in Prestwick.

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom Warren Stephens greeted Trump.

The president spoke to reporters before a convoy of more than twenty cars and escorted him to Turnberry.

Many roads have been closed in the area, while police and military personnel have been sweeping the resort.

A security checkpoint has been established outside the hotel and a large fence has been erected around the course.

While safe around the turntable, some golfers are able to use the AILSA course, starting at around 07:30 – despite under strong winds.

Drones and helicopters have also been hovering overhead.

Trump plays golf with his son Eric and U.S. Ambassador Warren Stephens and his son. Their entourage includes 15 golf carts.

A round of summer peaks could cost £1,000 on Turnberry.

There were no signs of protesters around the course.

Trump waved to the photographers, and it was a vantage point to gather on the beach dunes as they reached the fourth tee.

The White House said his son, Donald Trump Jr, also accompanied him on the weekend.

Trump’s round coincides with the Scottish government’s announcement that £180,000 of public funds will support the competition held next month in Aberdeenshire classes.

The 2025 NEXO Championship held at the DP World Tour will be held at Trump International Golf Course from August 7 to 10.

The Scottish government said the funds will be used to support the delivery of the event.

John Swinney said the cash boost showed that the government “recognizes the importance and interests of golf in the country”.

He added: “As a home of golf, we have a long-term support record and I am proud of this funding that will further enhance Aberdeenshire’s reputation as a leading golf course and I hope to get further golf events in the coming years.”

Trump is expected to meet Swinney on Monday, and he will meet Starmer on the same day. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will meet with the president on Sunday to discuss transatlantic trade relations.

The U.S. president will return to Washington on Tuesday and will return to the UK for a formal state visit in September.

In his speech to Prestwick media, Trump said that European countries need to “unity” in immigration and “stop windmills”, referring to wind farms.

In 2019, his company Trump International lost a long court battle to stop large-scale wind energy developments built near Aberdeen.

Trump believes the project includes 11 wind turbines that will damage his view at Meney Golf Course.

Swinney said his meeting with Trump would provide an opportunity to “essay for Scotland in essence” on issues such as trade and business growth in Scotland.

The first minister said he would also raise “important international issues”, including “the terrible situation in Gaza”.

He urged those who intend to protest the president’s visit to “do this peacefully in the law.”

It is rare to sit in the US president’s visit to Scotland.

Queen Elizabeth held Dwight d Eisenhower in 1957 in Balmoral, Aberdeenshire.

George W Bush went to Gleneagles in Perthshire for the G8 summit in 2005, and Joe Biden attended the climate conference in Glasgow in 2021.

Another service president to visit this century was encountered by protesters in 2018 by Trump himself, including a flying umbrella at the turn, violating the air removal area around the resort.

He returned after being defeated by Biden in 2023 for two and a half years.

Trump will make an official visit to the UK in September, when he and First Lady Melania Trump will be hosted by King Charles at Windsor Castle in Berkshire.

This was his second state visit – traditionally, the second U.S. president was not offered a state visit, but was invited to have tea or lunch with the monarch, usually at Windsor Castle.