The US president has come to Turnberry to play but it appears as if anti-Trump protesters have not.
While demonstrations have taken place in Edinburgh and Aberdeen in opposition to Donald Trump’s Scotland trip, the South Ayrshire village remains a ghost town.
The security detail has the Trump Turnberry golf resort locked down tight.
Uninvited guests may have been deterred by the area’s coastal location and lack of amenities, including easily accessible toilet facilities.
A stretch of Turnberry Beach next to Mr Trump’s golf course is being blocked by Police Scotland, as is the nearby access path.
The rest of the sandy shore is open, with prime space for a demonstration, but those looking for a quick route to the water face a treacherous field trip to get there, as one woman unfortunately found out when she got a nasty electric shock from a surrounding live wire fence.
The president has been able to enjoy the start of his private visit in relative peace. He’s even been out for a round of golf.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Meanwhile, hundreds of demonstrators insisted that Mr Trump is “not welcome” in Scotland.
Rallies held in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen by the Stop Trump Coalition saw hundreds of protesters gather to voice their opposition to the president.
In Edinburgh, almost 100 miles away from Turnberry, protester Rachel told Sky News: “I don’t really have enough time to tell you how many reasons I have for disliking Donald Trump.
“But the big thing in my mind is his climate denialism.”
Rachel, who brought a set of bagpipes to the rally, added: “I wanted to be here today, and I wanted to bring the pipes because they’re a symbol of Scotland and I want to use this symbol of Scotland to say that he’s not welcome here.”
Another woman, who was dressed up like a character from The Handmaid’s Tale, branded the president a “convicted felon”.
Last year, Mr Trump was convicted by a New York jury of falsifying business records.
The protester said: “We should not be opening Scotland or the UK to somebody with his background. He’s an abhorrent human being with absolutely no saving graces.”
In Aberdeen, almost 200 miles away from Turnberry, Scottish Greens MSP Maggie Chapman told the crowd: “He believes that climate change isn’t real, he believes that cutting services for those in the world with the least is the right thing to do.
“We say no to all of those things, not in our name, never in our name.”
👉 Follow Trump100 on your podcast app 👈
Speaking later, the MSP also branded Mr Trump a “convicted felon”.
She said: “He is not welcome in Scotland, he is certainly not welcome in Aberdeenshire. We know that he is a convicted felon.”
She added: “We also know that all of the promises he has repeatedly made to Scotland have come to nothing, there hasn’t been the development of jobs or houses that he promised when he opened his course in Aberdeenshire a few years ago.”
During the rally, chants of “Trump, Trump, Trump, out, out, out” could be heard, along with “Donald, Donald, hear us shout, all of Scotland wants you out”.
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Earlier on Saturday, First Minister John Swinney announced public money to support a tournament at the Trump International golf links in Aberdeenshire.
The 2025 Nexo Championship – previously known as the Scottish Championship – is set to take place there next month, supported by £180,000 of public funding.
Mr Swinney, who is expected to meet the president next week, said: “The Scottish government recognises the importance and benefits of golf and golf events, including boosting tourism and our economy.”
However, Scottish Greens co-leader Patrick Harvie likened the awarding of public cash to the tournament to “handing some pocket money to the school bully”.
