Edinburgh, Scotland — US President Donald Trump has arrived in Scotland for a five-day trip, sparking protests and controversy. Trump, who owns two golf courses in Scotland, is expected to spend most of his trip at these resorts, with a light formal itinerary that includes trade talks with European Union chief Ursula von der Leyen and a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The trip comes as Trump’s administration faces a deepening political crisis over its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, with many questioning Trump’s ties to the disgraced financier. Trump has repeatedly been pressed on the issue by reporters, but his Scotland trip allows him to shift focus to areas where he’s more comfortable: trade deals, family businesses, and golf.
“We have a lot of things in Scotland,” Trump said, noting his familial ties to the land. “I have a lot of love.” However, not everyone shares Trump’s affection for Scotland. Protesters gathered in Aberdeen and outside the US consulate in Edinburgh, waving signs and chanting slogans. Fiona McPherson, a demonstrator, criticized Trump’s development of luxury golf resorts in Scotland, saying, “What he did in the many estates in Aberdeenshire, and how he bullied and intimidated the local people there, he’s not a nice person. America was our ally for so long. We relied on America so much. Now, it’s an embarrassment.”
During his trip, Trump will dedicate a new 18-hole golf course in Aberdeenshire, named the MacLeod Course in honor of his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born in Scotland. The course is part of Trump’s efforts to establish himself in the Scottish golf scene, despite local resistance.
Trump’s meeting with von der Leyen will focus on transatlantic trade relations, with the EU seeking to clinch a trade deal with the US to avoid a threatened 30% tariff. Trump has expressed optimism about reaching a deal, saying, “That would be, actually, the biggest deal of them all if we make it.”
The trip also includes a ceremonial welcome at Windsor Castle, where Trump will meet with King Charles III. Starmer has extended an invitation to Trump for an official state visit in September, which may provide an opportunity for more substantive discussions.
Scotland has been preparing for Trump’s visit, with authorities mounting a significant security operation. Despite the controversy surrounding Trump’s trip, his affinity for Scotland is evident, driven by his family’s ties to the country. As Anas Sarwar, the Labour Party leader in Scotland, noted, “President Trump’s affinity for Scotland is real, regardless of what people think of his politics. His family’s investments in Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire are real and significant.”