Donald Trump to land in Scotland as details about his trip released
Everything known about Donald Trump 's visit to Scotland today for his four-day "private" trip before his official state visit in September has been detailed, from protests to meetings.
The US President's arrival will be his first visit back to the UK since he won the 2024 Presidential Election.
On his trip, he is set to meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and First Minister John Swinney, as well as making his way to his golf resorts at Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire.
Here is everything we know about his trip:
Why is Trump visiting Scotland?
Trump's main reason for coming to Scotland is golf and to visit his two courses - Trump International at Menie, which he opened in 2012, and Trump Turnberry, which he purchased two years later.
His last visit to the courses was in 2023, although he has been a frequent visitor over the years.
Trump has often spoke about his love for Scotland due to his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, being from just outside Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
When is President Trump coming to Scotland?
The president is expected to arrive tonight and travel back to the US on Tuesday July 29.
Although his schedule has not been made public, he is expected to spend most of his time at Turnberry and Menie.
His formal state visit will take place from September 17 to 19 and will be a more formal affair where he and First Lady Melania Trump will stay at Windsor Castle as the guests of the King and Queen.
Who will be meeting with President Trump in Scotland?
The US President will meet with the Prime Minister in Aberdeen on Monday, according to his White House press secretary, to "refine the great trade deal that was brokered between the United States and the United Kingdom".
However, Downing Street is yet to confirm the meeting's details, including where it will take place.
First Minister John Swinney said he decided to meet Trump on his visit to "promote the interests of Scotland" and to discuss things such as the war in Ukraine, the Middle East, and the imposition of tariffs on products such as Scotch whisky.
He said: 'As First Minister it is my responsibility to advance our interests, raise global and humanitarian issues of significant importance, including the unimaginable suffering we are witnessing in Gaza, and ensure Scotland's voice is heard at the highest levels of government across the world.
'That is exactly what I will do when I meet with President Trump during his time in Scotland.'
The Scottish Secretary Ian Murray is expected to formally welcome the US President when he steps off Air Force One at Prestwick Airport tonight.
What will security be like?
The presidential motorcade is transported ahead of the visit by United States Air Force transport aircraft. This includes two identical limousines and more than 20 other security and communications vehicles.
Trump will travel in Cadillac One - an armoured, high-powered enhanced limousine known as "The Beast" - alongside an enhanced police presence.
Over 6,300 UK police officers were deployed at a cost to London's Metropolitan Police of £3.4m during his last state visit in June 2019. A previous four-day working visit in 2018 cost more than £14.2m.
The Scottish Police Federation (SPF) has raised concerns about what the Trump visit will mean for its members against a backdrop of police complaints about spending on the force. The SPF also insisted that policing across the country will be "seriously affected" as response times could "double".
Police Scotland confirmed it was preparing for a presidential visit earlier this month and the Scottish government said it had been working with the national force to put plans in place, with thousands of officers likely to be deployed as part of the security operation.
Flight restrictions will be imposed over parts of Scotland as part of routine security precautions for the arrival. The initial restrictions cover Prestwick Airport, the area surrounding the Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire, RAF Lossiemouth in the north-east and over the Menie Estate in Aberdeenshire.
Locals were left stunned on Tuesday afternoon as a fleet of Chinook helicopters flew over Torry Battery and Aberdeen Harbour. The helicopters - believed to be part of the advance security detail - later landed at Aberdeen Airport.
Will there be protests?
Thousands protested in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen during his last presidential visit in 2018 and he was booed during an afternoon round of golf by demonstrators along the perimeter at Turnberry. A paraglider also flew over the hotel with a banner criticising the president.
Earlier this year, his Turnberry golf course was vandalised with pro-Palestine messages.
More protests are expected this time around. Police Scotland have said they have the resources to deal with whatever the visit brings.
The Stop Trump Coalition confirmed that it is organising events in Aberdeen in the city centre and outside the US consulate in Edinburgh on Saturday at midday. There is also planned activity around Turnberry and Menie, where Trump is expected to open a new 18-hole golf course.
Scots farmer, Michael Forbes, has also warned Donald Trump he will never sell his land next door to the US president's luxury golf resort in Menie.
"There's no way I'm ever going to sell," he told the media this week ahead of the Republican leader's latest visit to Aberdeenshire. "Everyone in Scotland hates him."
First Minister John Swinney said people had a right to 'peaceful demonstration', adding that 'everyone has the democratic right to protect and express their views in a peaceful, and democratic manner'.
'That is right and proper,' he added. 'I am confident the vast majority of people protesting will do Scotland proud and demonstrate as they should – peacefully and lawfully.
'I am also confident that Scotland's police service can handle the challenge of keeping all our communities safe and, as they must, in maintaining the appropriate security any US President requires.
'This weekend is a landmark moment in our relationship with the United States, and I am certain it will be remembered for Scotland showing the world the very best of itself.'
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