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Scotsman
2 days ago
- Politics
- Scotsman
Apathy and awe from a roadside cafe at Trump's Turnberry during US president visit
The apathy and awe from a roadside cafe during Trump's visit | Katharine Hay The media and security presence dominated a village with little to no sign of support or protest against the Donald Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Tucked in the corner of a cafe just outside Turnberry on the weekend of Donald Trump's visit, a waitress was trying to high-five a customer's dog before giving it a treat. At the next table, a family was tucking into an all day breakfast, washing it down with cans of Irn Bru. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Balkenna Tea Room is an ordinary roadside eatery, with some added character from a wall covered in an array of porcelain teapots of different designs. Balkenna Tearoom became a hub for journalists and Trump entourage over the US president's visit | Katharine Hay The cafe gave a very 'business as usual' vibe despite the furore a mile up the road with unprecedented security level for Mr Trump's visit | Katharine Hay But that changed over the weekend when the spot, popular with locals and motorists travelling up and down the A77, became a pitstop for members of the world's media and Mr Trump's entourage during the US president's private visit to Scotland. The trip has, so far, involved a few rounds of golf at Turnberry's Ailsa course, where Mr Trump was spotted wearing a white USA cap surrounded by family, including his son Donald Trump Jr, waving to journalists and a handful of supporters on Sunday morning. This was followed by an afternoon meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen at the hotel to discuss trade deals. Getty Images The president is expected to meet prime minister Sir Keir Starmer at the hotel on Monday before meeting First Minister John Swinney in Aberdeen, where he is set to open a second 18-hole golf course at his Menie estate. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mr Trump's politics and play in the country that was home to his late mother, Mary Anne Trump, from the Isle of Lewis, has drawn an unprecedented level of security to the small south Ayrshire village. With several sniper points, helicopters and drones overhead and bus-loads of police driving in and out of the site as officers swap shifts guarding the site 24/7, the operation is said to be the largest security operation in Scotland since the death of the Queen. Yet the furore at the Turnberry resort under lockdown with a 10ft fence and multiple checkpoints was a far cry from the apathy felt among locals a mile down the road. Apart from the revolving door of reporters and suspected security officers with radios coming in for a bite to eat throughout the day, staff at the roadside cafe said it was just another normal weekend shift. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad When asked if the last 48 hours was any different with Turnberry resembling a military training ground rather than a golf course, one of the waitresses shrugged, saying: 'We're always busy. It's just always a busy spot here with or without Trump.' Conversations mostly revolved around complaints on road blockages 'going on for days' and increased police presence in the area. The busy cafe, however, did attract the occasional fan of the US president, usually popping in for break from waiting around in the village in the hope of catching a glimpse of the Donald. The giveaway was usually someone wearing a 'Make England Great Again' cap modelled on the MAGA design or something printed with stars and stripes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kenny Weir said Donald Trump has helped bring money into the area | Katharine Hay Sitting at a table looking out the window at the distant Ailsa Craig, an island off Ayrshire's coast where curling stones used in Olympic competitions come from, businessman and Ayrshire local Kenny Weir spoke about his support for the US president. 'I support Trump and I think John Swinney having been a finance minister should welcome Donald Trump with open arms,' he said. 'I know Trump has his faults but, at the end of the day, he spends a lot of money in Scotland.' Mr Weir, who claimed to have met Mr Trump while on a visit to America and who has built hotels all over the world, said he had eyes on buying Turnberry, but couldn't afford the renovation costs at the time it was up for sale about a decade ago. 'Trump spent hundreds of millions on that place,' he said. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'He has done a lot employing people in the area with the work he's done here. 'And now we have what has to be the best golf course worldwide.' While flicking through pictures of himself with Trump memorabilia on his phone, he said: 'I think about 60 per cent of Scotland are in favour of him, but most are just too scared to show their support. I always say I have the best house in Ayrshire because it's just up the road from Turnberry.' Mr Weir then started to pull a flag with a picture of Mr Trump's face against stars and stripes from his bag before adding: 'I had better not in here actually.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Despite the heavy media and security presence, the village pavements lay mostly bare when it came to either supporters or protesters over the weekend. There were no signs of pro or anti Trump messages in home windows. Nick, from 'the people's peace core' standing at one of the blocked off roads leading to Turnberry Hotel | Katharine Hay One lone member of a group called 'The People's Peace Core' stood at a checkpoint on a road leading to the Turnberry Hotel in the hope of handing a certificate to the president saying 'to acknowledge your integrity and honourable dealings in promoting the cause of peace, harmony and love around the world.' A handful of demonstrators showed their support for the president on arrival and during a round of golf on Sunday, but, apart from a small protest on Friday, were no signs of the anti-Trump brigade all weekend.
Daily Record
4 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
Wishaw man who left more than 50 years ago as a boy impressed by town's improvement
Alan Johnston lived in Lyman Drive in Coltness as a child A former Wishaw native who left the town over 50 years ago is singing its praises after a visit with his dad. Alan Johnston, 63, lived in Lyman Drive in Coltness as a child before moving to Nottingham in 1973 as a 12-year-old. He returned to Wishaw this week with his dad Tom, who is 87, and insists that the town has improved since his childhood. 'It's been a long time since I've been here,' said Alan. 'I've come up with my dad and it will be his last time up here. Download the Lanarkshire Live app today 'I noticed a massive difference in the area, some for better, some worse. But that's much the same everywhere. Overall the whole area has changed but it's fine. The whole area is better than when I left in 1973. 'I must say the town is nothing like people told me it was. The people are friendly and the shopping area isn't run-down.' Alan also enjoyed a round of golf with his Uncle John, who is the course record holder, at Wishaw Golf Club. He continued: 'I played a round at Wishaw Golf Club with my uncle, John Johnston, and the course is brilliant, it's massively improved. That was where I learned to play golf. 'My Uncle John is the course record holder. We played for a pound and I managed to win by one shot. 'Everyone was friendly and the place is in immaculate condition, the food, and the service – it was fantastic. 'My Uncle John also pointed out the cycle track at the bottom of the golf course, that was just derelict ground. It's easy to be negative.' Alan met up with Les Hoey for he first time in 53 years, his pal from primary school, during his three-day trip north and also took a trip round to see his boyhood home in Lyman Drive. He said: 'It's been 50-odd years since I last seen him. He looks a bit different but I could still tell it was him if I walked past him in the street. 'We've been speaking on Facebook for the last six or seven years, after I put a message on about Coltness High school. He picked it up from there and messaged me and asked if I was the person who lived in Lyman Drive. 'I remember his mum and the way she used to bake. It took me back, if I shut my eyes for a bit I was back in 1973. My dad used to take me and Les to Motherwell games, I remember them playing in the Texaco Cup against English teams.' Alan was wholesome in his praise of Les's charity work with his DreamMaker Foundation charity work. 'It was great to see Les, he does fantastic work so I was hearing about that. What he does is incredible, I haven't got the strength to do that, he must be made of steel. I said to him he must be drinking Irn Bru and have it in his veins. He is an inspiration to me.' Alan also took a trip to see his childhood home in Coltness. 'We drove up to the wooded area in Lyman Drive and there's now a nice kids' playground there where before it was just scrubland, it's nice. 'My old house was vastly improved and completely modernised. I think my dad paid about £3,000 for it back in the late 1960s. 'My dad took a bit of persuading to come back to Wishaw but he actually loved it. 'I will definitely be back up to play golf and meet up with friends.' And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
The Herald Scotland
16-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Will John Swinney's wooing of Donald Trump pay off?
The news that Donald Trump is visiting Scotland later this month has catapulted the SNP and John Swinney onto the high wire. Mr Swinney will no doubt hope that his support for the American president's political rival, Kamala Harris, will be forgotten over a glass of Irn Bru and a fresh Aberdeenshire buttery. There will be a fine line to balance for the First Minister, who made no secret of his support for Ms Harris during the autumn of 2024. Last October, Mr Swinney told reporters: 'People in the United States of America should vote for Kamala Harris and I have not come to that conclusion only because Donald Trump is opposed to Scottish independence.' And, in more recent times, Mr Swinney has suggested that the president's state visit, scheduled for September, should be cancelled after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was booted from the Oval Office in March. John Swinney has agreed to meet with Donald Trump. Of course, Mr Trump, whose mother Mary MacLeod Trump was from Harris, has long cast his shadow over these isles. The billionaire, who once described Scots as 'tough people' and 'good fighters,' has clashed with politicians and locals for years, ever since he announced plans to build a golf course in Aberdeenshire two decades ago. Despite the objections of environmental campaigners and aggrieved residents, Trump International Golf Links opened near the town of Balmedie in 2012. Mr Trump got on splendidly with the late Alex Salmond, that is, until he heard about a Scottish Government plan to build wind farms in the sea off his new estate. In 2012, he said: "You're going to have riots all over Scotland, because Alex Salmond is going to destroy the natural beauty of Scotland.' Thirteen years later, the wind farms have been built, and no riots have taken place. Mr Swinney's government is clearly taking a cautious approach when it comes to dealing with Mr Trump. Who could blame them? Yet, the Scottish Greens have slammed Mr Swinney's 'tragic' decision to meet with the American president, who they have accused of being a 'political extremist.' Would Humza Yousaf have welcomed Mr Trump as FM? Their ire has been shared by others in Scotland's progressive left. It's not a coincidence that my most shared post on Bluesky, by far, was a news article announcing the meeting would take place. One anonymous user, named 'Apples n Spice,' wrote: 'Swinney doing more on-brand Swinney things. Embarrassing for Scotland. It's actually vomit inducing.' Another user wrote: 'Pretty sure Sturgeon would have been washing her hair that day and Yousaf would have flat out refused.' That's an interesting point. It would have been great theatre to see how Nicola Sturgeon or Humza Yousaf, undoubtedly First Ministers with a bit more panache than Honest John, would have dealt with the situation. Read more: Protests aside, Mr Swinney is doing the grown-up thing. According to the Scottish Government, the United States is Scotland's largest trade partner, importing £4b of Scottish goods in 2023. Around 700 American companies employ 115,000 people across the nation. If the plan is to secure political points, the easy thing to do, as many in Mr Swinney's base have suggested, is to reject the meeting. Yet, Mr Swinney has chosen a more difficult path, one which will require cool-headed diplomacy and a twist of Scottish hospitality. I wonder what they are going to talk about?
Belfast Telegraph
11-07-2025
- Business
- Belfast Telegraph
Titanic, Tayto, Stormont: Japanese ambassador to UK explores NI and meets Executive ministers
Hiroshi Suzuki also fostered political ties during his three-day visit here and met with senior Executive figures in Stormont, as he explored the best of what the country has to offer while indulging in a bit of sightseeing. The ambassador is well known for getting fully involved in the many trips he makes around the UK, having previously been seen enthusiastically singing the Welsh national anthem during a trip to Wales earlier this year and tasting Irn Bru in Scotland. During his latest excursion, Mr Suzuki took to social media — where he has an active presence — to document his travels in NI, first sharing a image of himself outside Belfast City Airport alongside a photo in which he is enthusiastically pointing at a Tayto vending machine. The envoy then made his way to the Giant's Causeway, where he remarked on being 'deeply moved by the magnificent scenery'. While in Co Antrim, he also took a tour of one of the world's oldest whiskey distilleries, Bushmills Distillery, learning about the drink-making process. To complete his tour of the North Coast, Mr Suzuki visited Dunluce Castle alongside his beloved Paddington Bear, with which he is often pictured. In a social media post, he said it was a 'place filled with romance and history. Its appearance perched on the cliff was magnificent and I could feel its former glory. Also enjoyed the refreshing breeze and beautiful scenery walking along the Portrush coastline.' The diplomat was later greeted by Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Junior Minister Aisling Reilly at Stormont Castle. A spokesperson from the Northern Ireland Executive said: 'The ambassador is on a three-day visit to Northern Ireland and discussions focused on trade and investment, including the contribution of Japanese businesses currently operating here, and cultural connections.' Mr Suzuki added: 'Pleasure to meet Deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Junior Minister Aisling Reilly... Enjoyed fruitful discussions on a wide range of topics including economic and cultural ties between Japan and Northern Ireland.' 'Hate incident' Co Tyrone bonfire topped with migrant effigy lit Mr Suzuki also took the time to visit Assembly Speaker Edwin Poots to discuss ways of 'strengthening relations between Japan and Northern Ireland'. The ambassador also tasted some of the local food and drink on offer by ordering an Ulster Fry and an Irish coffee and documented his attempt of 'splitting the G' while enjoying a pint of Guinness. Other visited hotspots included Carrickfergus Castle as well as the Titanic building, which 'mesmerised' him. Northern Irish-based Japanese businesses, including Fujitsu, electronic components manufacturer Kyocera AVX, Nihon Cyber Defence and Ryobi Aluminium Casting, also welcomed the envoy to their sites.
Scotsman
10-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
'Outstanding' Scottish restaurant added to Michelin Guide
Every month the inspectors for the coveted guide reveal the restaurants that have caught their attention and are worthy of inclusion in the Michelin Guide for the UK and Ireland. While new stars and bib gourmands were revealed in Glasgow in February, the inspectors are on the road all year round, eating their way around some of the country's best restaurants. The most recent Scottish addition to the guide is Moss, which opened in Edinburgh's Stockbridge in March this year. Of this farm to table eatery, which is headed up by ex Noma chef Henry Dobson, the inspectors said: 'Stockbridge has become a go-to neighbourhood for Edinburgh's foodies in recent years – and Moss is certainly playing its part in the trend. 'Key to the ethos here is that the menu only uses Scottish produce and the drinks list is exclusively British; many of the ingredients even come from the owner's family farm in Angus. 'These are crafted into pure, natural dishes that chime with the dining room's pared-back aesthetic. It's the little touches that will put a smile on your face, like the complimentary Irn Bru candyfloss at the end of your meal.' The a la carte menu at Moss is based on the best of the fresh and preserved harvest from the farm in Angus and a network of local producers including Phantassie Organic Farm in East Lothian, Butchery at Bowhouse in the East Neuk of Fife with foragables, game, meat, vegetables and herbs sourced from the farm. Taking inspiration from his travels in Scandinavia and East Asia, as well as from the diverse cultures in his team, the dishes are ingredient-led and will constantly evolve depending on what produce is available. All of this work in sourcing and ensuring the best local and Scottish produce has clearly paid off, given the Michelin recognition so soon after opening. Online reviews call Moss outstanding, further cementing Edinburgh's place as one of the best cities in Scotland for food. Of his restaurant, Henry said: Of the new restaurant Henry Dobson said: 'Moss is the culmination of two years of solid research and development and I can't wait to open our doors and share our perspective on what we think is possible with Scotland's diverse palette of ingredients. 'My team and I are excited to amalgamate the best of Scotland's local makers and producers and find our niche amongst the incredible scene of restaurants in Edinburgh. 'This project has already been such a personal journey for my family and I. From our six-month research and development trip to Japan, to Akiko and I digging clay out of ditches for the tableware, to sieving ash for the paint, to bucking, milling and joining the table tops all the way to foraging our vast library of preserved ingredients from my family farm.' Find out more about new Michelin Guide additions here.
