Protests against President Donald Trump have been planned across Scotland during his trip, which begins on Friday, says the Stop Trump Scotland group.
The president is expected to visit his golf courses in Turnberry, in Ayrshire and Menie, in Aberdeenshire, and although this trip is not a formal one, he is expected to meet British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, on Monday, reported The Guardian.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Newsweek: “The United States has a special relationship with the United Kingdom, as evidenced by the King’s historic invitation for the President to make a second state visit later this year.”
Newsweek has contacted Stop Trump Scotland via email for comment.
Main: Alastair Grant, Inset: Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP Photo
Why It Matters
Scottish police have told Newsweek a “significant” operation was being planned in expectation of the protests. In 2018, thousands of protesters gathered when Trump visited his Scottish golf courses during his first term.
Lesley Martin/PA Wire Press Association via AP Images
Stop Trump Scotland is planning protests in the Aberdeen city center and outside the U.S. consulate in Edinburgh at noon local time on Saturday, July 26, and at 2 p.m. on the same day in Dumfries.
According to the Stop Trump Scotland website, these are the only organized protests at time of writing. The group has encouraged people to “stand ready to meet him with loud protest wherever he goes on his visit to Scotland.”
The group has also said it is organizing “multiple days of events to give [Trump] a fitting welcome.”
Stop Trump Scotland has said it was protesting for several reasons, including to oppose Trump’s global tariffs, the president’s approach to the war in Ukraine, as well as his proposal to build a “Riviera of the Middle East” in Gaza, per a press release.
President Trump has familial as well as business ties to Scotland, as his mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump was born on the Isle of Lewis. He is expected to be opening a new 18-hole course in Scotland named after her, per The Guardian.
Jane Barlow/Press Association via AP Images
What People Are Saying
Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond told Newsweek: “A policing plan will be in place to maintain public safety, balance rights to peaceful protest and minimize disruption. The visit will require a significant police operation using local, national and specialist resources from across Police Scotland, supported by colleagues from other UK police forces as part of mutual aid arrangements.”
A spokesperson for Stop Trump Scotland said in a press release: “The people of Scotland don’t want to roll out a welcome mat for Donald Trump, whose government is accelerating the spread of climate breakdown and fascism around the world.”
Sarah Malone, executive vice president of Trump International, said in a press release sent to Newsweek: “The Trump family has a deep affection for Scotland, not only as the home of golf, but as the ancestral home of President Trump’s beloved mother, Mary Anne MacLeod. We are therefore delighted to confirm that we are planning the creation of a memorial garden in honor of Mary Anne MacLeod as a fitting tribute to her name and legacy.”
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly told Newsweek: “While in Scotland, President Trump looks forward to meeting with Prime Minister Starmer, refining the US-UK trade deal, and getting to know the wonderful Scottish people.”
What Happens Next
Trump is due to return to the U.K. for an official state visit in September. He will be hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Windsor Castle.
Update 07/25/25 05:18 a.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Sarah Malone, executive vice president of Trump International and White House spokesperson Anna Kelly.
