Donald Trump says 'great to be in Scotland' as he arrives for five-day visit

BBC News

15 hours ago

Update:
Date: 20:54 BST
Title: Protesters wait for Trump
Content: David CowanHome Affairs Correspondent, BBC Scotland
A handful of protesters are mixing with the media outside Trump Turnberry, waiting for the arrival of the president.
One says he's driven four and a half miles from Cheshire to make his point about climate change. Another holds a sign which refers to Donald Trump's felony conviction.
They've exchanged words with a Scottish man who's come along, wearing a Make America Great Again baseball cap.
Update:
Date: 20:47 BST
Title: Starmer is 'slightly more liberal than I am' - Trump
Content: "I like your prime minister, he is slightly more liberal than I am," Trump tells reporters on the runway at Prestwick Airport.
He then praises the US-UK trade deal which he says is a "good deal for the UK".
Update:
Date: 20:43 BST
Title: It's great to be in Scotland, Trump tells reporters
Content: "It's great to be in Scotland," Trump tells reporters after he disembarks from Air Force One in Scotland.
He says he will meet the UK prime minister tomorrow, adding: "We're going to do some great things".
Update:
Date: 20:40 BST
Title: Trump waves to crowds at Glasgow's Prestwick Airport
Content: President Trump waves as he disembarks Air Force One for his five-day trip to Scotland.
Trump is set to open new golf course and meet UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney during his visit.
Update:
Date: 20:38 BST
Title: Will Trump speak to the media?
Content: Chris ClementsReporting from Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Air Force One has touched down and the engines are deafening.
When the US president arrives, he will be greeted by Ian Murray MP, Secretary of State for Scotland, and the Honourable Warren Stephens, US ambassador to the Court of St James.
Will he speak to the media? Perhaps.
After that, he will leave the airfield in the waiting motorcade.
You can see the Beast there - his presidential vehicle that has windows that are five inches thick.
Update:
Date: 20:30 BST
Title: Plane-spotters say 'I'm here for the plane, not Trump'
Content: Ben PhilipReporting from Prestwick Airport
Abbie, Kevin and Cooper at Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Hundreds of plane-spotters are on a grassy bank overlooking the runway, here to catch a glimpse of Air Force One.
Carrie-Ann, 47, has travelled from Fife with her son to be here and has come prepared.
She said: "We have snacks and a book. We've got rolls, crisps, sweets, juice, water - you name it, it's in the bag.
Others have come from ever further afield. Sam Sharp, 24, from Newcastle is weighed down by a metre-long camera lens - putting our broadcast equipment to shame - although he admits it's "a bit overkill".
Speaking of the presidential plane, he said: "It is the queen of the skies. Everyone just knows Air Force One. It's a rare chance to see such a beautiful aircraft.
Further along the bank, Abbie, Kevin and Cooper are waiting patiently with their cameras on a picnic blanket.
Asked about his thoughts of Donald Trump's visit, Kevin said: "Everyone has their different political views. I'm not a fan myself, but I think everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I'm just here for the plane, not him."
Update:
Date: 20:28 BST
Title: Air Force One touches down in Scotland
Content: Air Force One has just landed on the runway at Glasgow Prestwick Airport, after a short delay.
Update:
Date: 20:26 BST
Title: Crowds gather outside airport to catch glimpse of Trump arrival
Content: Morgan SpenceReporting from Glasgow Prestwick Airport
Like him or loath him, thousands of people have now gathered at Glasgow Prestwick Airport to catch a glimpse of Donald Trump's arrival.
Crowds are still streaming into a viewing area, just outside the perimeter fence.
Update:
Date: 20:25 BST
Title: Who is travelling with Trump?
Content: Bernd Debusmann JrReporting from the White House
Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt is among those traveling with Trump on his trip.
We have a list of those travelling with President Trump on his trip to Scotland.
Among them are the White House Press Secretary, Karoline Leavitt and Stephen Miller, the White House Deputy Chief of Staff who is now considered among the most influential and powerful members of Trump's team.
Also included are Josh Fisher, the head of the White House Office of Administration, as well as Robert Gabriel, Assistant to the President for Policy.
Walt Nauta, the longtime aide to Trump who was embroiled in Trump's court case over classified documents at Mar-a-Lago, is also along for the ride, as is staff secretary Will Scharf.
This is, for the most part, a standard group for most of President Trump's trips - essentially, the staff that ensure that the President can continue to do his job effectively while away from the White House.
The one notable addition for this trip is Monica Crowley, who serves as ambassador and chief-of-protocol, who, as part of her job, manages diplomatic protocol and etiquette.
Update:
Date: 20:23 BST
Title: What's it like on Air Force One?
Content: Anthony ZurcherNorth America correspondent
Donald Trump is on his way to Scotland aboard Air Force One, the modified Boeing 747 that serves as the American presidential aircraft.
Unlike most transatlantic commercial travellers, Trump is flying during the day, so he won't have to worry about catching some sleep while en route (although his onboard suite does include a bed). He will spend Friday night in a bed he owns at Trump Turnberry.
Air Force One is designed to be a mobile command post for the president no matter where he is – but the importance of this is heightened when he is travelling abroad and has less access to secure communications.
The president is making the trip with a pool of White House reporters, who board with lower-level administration staff through a door at the back of the aircraft.
It's not a bad way to travel – with padded seats and in-flight meal service roughly comparable to a business-class accommodations on a domestic US flight.
Trump frequently comes back to chat with journalists during long flights, so keep an eye out for reports of what he may say about his weekend golf plans – or his scheduled meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday.
Update:
Date: 20:20 BST
Title: Donald Trump about to touch down in Scotland
Content: Chris ClementsReporting from Ayrshire
Good evening from the runway at Glasgow Prestwick Airport.
Ground staff here are preparing for the US president's arrival, with a small number of media already in position.
Air Force One has been delayed but Donald Trump is expected shortly.
Update:
Date: 20:08 BST
Title: Trump cheerful as he left DC for a golf-heavy trip
Content: Bernd Debusmann JrReporting from the White House
As he left for Scotland, Trump spoke to reporters in Washington about a number of topics ranging from the economy and interest rates, to the war in Gaza.
He only briefly mentioned his trip but appeared to be in a jovial mood, joking with reporters who were gathered on the South Lawn before his helicopter took off to take him to his waiting plane.
"Are you going? You've got to get moving," he told a journalist, pointing at the crowd. "It's going to be a good one."
Update:
Date: 19:56 BST
Title: Trump to tour his Scottish assets on unusual UK visit
Content: Trump is in Scotland to visit his two golf resorts, as well as opening a new 18-hole course at the Menie resort in Aberdeenshire.
The trip is exceptional as US presidents rarely promote their personal interests so publicly while in office.
After landing in Scotland, he will head for Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire and is expected to spend the weekend away from the press.
On Sunday, he is due to meet EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, with trade talks on the agenda - and on Monday, the president will head to Trump International Links Aberdeen accompanied by Keir Starmer.
On his final day in Scotland, Trump is due to open a new 18-hole course at the Aberdeenshire site.
Update:
Date: 19:52 BST
Title: A golf getaway for Trump as he heads to Scotland
Content: Imogen JamesLive reporter
The US president is currently on his way to Scotland, where he will spend the weekend golfing at his two luxury resorts - one in Aberdeenshire, the other in Ayrshire.
It's the first time he's visited the country since 2023, and he's often spoken of his fondness for it, given his mother was born there.
However, he might not receive a particularly warm welcome, with more than 1,500 extra police drafted in with protests expected.
This is largely a private trip but Trump is expected to meet UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Scottish First Minister John Swinney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen while he is there.
Air Force One will soon be touching down at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. We'll be bringing you updates if Trump speaks when he lands.