What happened on President Trump's previous Scotland visits?

Trump’s main purpose was to ribbon-cut a £200 million renovation of Trump Turnberry, his luxury golf course in South Ayrshire. He also visited Trump International in Aberdeenshire, a project long criticised for damaging sand dunes that lost protected status in 2020 due to construction and use from the course, and for the relentless [[pub]]licised campaign to remove residents from their homes.

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Though framed as a business trip, the visit turned political as Trump waded into the Brexit debate fresh from Leave winning the EU referendum. The presidential hopeful said it was a "great thing" that the people of the UK have "taken back their country".

The trip drew backlash with protesters gathered outside his properties (a common theme when the President visits Scotland), including comedian Janey Godley, who notably stood on his Turnberry course with a “Trump is a c***” sign, a stunt she would repeat when the now-President would return in 2018.

Donald Trump had often come to Scotland for business and pleasure, but the nature of his trips changed once the tycoon turned politician (Image: Getty) In July 2018, President Trump returned to Scotland, this time at “Trump Turnberry for two days of meetings, calls and hopefully, some golf – my primary form of exercise!” he wrote on Twitter.

The visit prompted large protests in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and [[Aberdeen]]. Close to 10,000 people marched through [[Edinburgh]] in solidarity against the President. A paraglider paid by Greenpeace broke through a no-fly zone surrounding Turnberry to fly past the President, with a trailing banner that read “Trump: well below par #resist”.

Police said the paraglider put themselves in 'grave danger' though no charges would be brought forth (Image: Greenpeace) Police Scotland spent more than £3m covering the costs of this visit, with more than 5500 officers deployed around the country. It was forecast that several million more would be spent on cancelling leave and rest days for many officers. UK-wide, the costs ballooned to £18m.

After losing the presidency to Joe Biden in 2020, Trump would return to his Scottish golf courses in 2023 as a private individual. He arrived to cut the ribbon at the beginning of a second course at his Aberdeen resort.

After leaving his private plane, he said to reporters: "It's great to be home, this was the home of my mother", referencing his mother Mary Anne MacLeod, who was born on the Isle of Lewis before emigrating to the US.

It was understood that neither the Scottish nor UK governments would have to pay for the former president’s security. Regardless, £60,000 was spent on police overtime to stand guard as Trump played golf.

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Being re-elected as US President last year, Trump arrives in Scotland for the weekend to yet again make visits to his golf courses, but to also meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer and likely meet First Minister John Swinney. Protests similar to previous visits are expected, and the debate around the cost to police and taxpayers remains a contentious issue.