Trump’s Scottish Visit: Divided Public Response Anticipated

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TURNBERRY, Scotland (AP) – President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Scotland, scheduled for July 25 to 29, 2025, promises to be a multifaceted event, blending personal history, business ambitions, and political controversy. His connection to Scotland—through his mother’s lineage and substantial investments in Scottish golf resorts—ensures a reception filled with both admiration and protest.

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A Deep-Rooted Heritage

Trump’s Scottish connection is often central to his personal narrative. His mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, was born in 1912 in Tong, a small village near Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. She was one of thousands who emigrated from the Outer Hebrides to the United States during the interwar period. After settling in New York in 1930, she married Fred C. Trump in 1936.

Trump frequently references this heritage with pride, once remarking, “My mother was born in Scotland—Stornoway, which is serious Scotland.” In 2008, he visited her modest childhood home, symbolizing his ongoing emotional ties to the region.

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Golf Ventures and Contentious Development

Trump’s business footprint in Scotland is primarily tied to his luxury golf resorts:

Trump International Golf Links – Aberdeenshire (Menie Estate)

• Acquired in 2006.

• Opened in 2012 after years of environmental debates.

• Promised large-scale development, including 500 homes and a luxury hotel, remains unrealized.

• The project faced opposition from environmental groups due to its location on protected sand dunes.

• Local farmer Michael Forbes famously refused to sell his land, rejecting a substantial offer and becoming an emblem of resistance.

Trump Turnberry – Ayrshire

• Purchased in 2014 and seen as a flagship asset.

• Underwent significant renovations, praised by supporters for boosting local tourism.

• Despite Trump’s ambitions, hosting The Open Championship remains uncertain due to logistical and political factors.

While Turnberry has turned a profit, the Menie Estate has struggled financially, highlighting the mixed success of Trump’s Scottish ventures.

Golfers on the putting green at the Trump Turnberry golf course in Turnberry, Scotland, Wednesday, July 23, 2025, President Trump is expected to visit Scotland in the next few day. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Political Landscape and Diplomatic Friction

Trump’s relationship with Scottish and British political figures has been strained over the years. In 2015, after controversial remarks about Muslims, the Scottish government expelled him from the GlobalScot business ambassador network, and Robert Gordon University rescinded his honorary doctorate.

During this visit, Trump is expected to meet with Scottish First Minister John Swinney and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Trade discussions, particularly focused on U.S. steel tariffs, will be on the agenda. While Trump has referred to Starmer as a “liberal” he “surprisingly likes,” the meetings are expected to be diplomatically cautious given the anticipated public unrest.

Protest Movements and Security Concerns

The announcement of Trump’s visit has galvanized activist groups across Scotland. Stop Trump Scotland, along with environmental, labor, and human rights organizations, is organizing a coordinated series of protests branded as a “festival of resistance.” Demonstrations are planned in major cities including Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and near Trump’s golf properties.

Massive Security Operation

To ensure safety, authorities are deploying a large-scale police presence:

• Approximately 5,000 police officers will be mobilized.

• Security measures include establishing no-fly zones, sealing drains, and increased sea and land patrols.

• Police Scotland has coordinated with the U.S. Secret Service and UK security forces to manage the visit.

Despite assurances of respecting the right to peaceful protest, concerns have been raised about the strain on police resources. Response times for regular crime incidents are expected to double during Trump’s visit, leading to public criticism regarding resource allocation.

Public Sentiment: A Nation Divided

The Scottish public remains sharply divided over Trump’s visit.

Supporters argue that his investments have bolstered local economies, created jobs, and elevated Scotland’s profile in global tourism. Louise Robertson, a local resident near Turnberry, noted that the resort’s renovations revitalized the area’s tourism appeal.

On the other side, critics view Trump’s ventures as symbols of environmental disregard and elitist overreach. Patricia Sloan, who has boycotted Turnberry since Trump’s 2014 acquisition, remarked, “I’m not proud of his Scottish heritage. Every country produces both good and bad, and his flag-waving of Scottish roots represents the latter.”

Environmentalists continue to raise alarms over the long-term impact of Trump’s developments on fragile ecosystems, particularly the protected dunes in Aberdeenshire.

Private Visit with Public Consequences

Though Trump’s visit is officially designated as a private trip, the scale of public resources deployed has blurred the line between private and state affairs. The timing of this visit is significant, coming just months ahead of Trump’s scheduled formal state visit to the United Kingdom, where he will meet King Charles III at Windsor Castle.

For Trump, the Scottish leg serves multiple purposes:

• Reaffirming his ancestral roots to bolster his personal narrative.

• Promoting his golf business amid fluctuating financial performance.

• Engaging in informal diplomatic discussions that could shape future U.S.-UK trade agreements.

For Scotland and the UK, however, the visit represents a logistical challenge and a political balancing act, with public sentiment oscillating between pride in shared heritage and frustration over Trump’s polarizing persona.

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