A beautiful view of a golf course reflecting the natural beauty of Scotland.
Prestwick, Scotland, July 28, 2025
President Trump’s recent trip to Scotland has sparked significant local protests, highlighting the ongoing tensions surrounding his golf properties. With a focus on his golf resorts and meetings with EU and UK leaders, the visit has not been well received by the local community, where 71% express unfavorable opinions of him. The new MacLeod Course, named after his late mother, stands as a key part of his itinerary, even as environmental concerns and past unfulfilled promises stir discontent among residents.
Prestwick, Scotland – President Donald Trump arrived at Prestwick airport, south of Glasgow, on July 25 for a five-day trip framed by the White House as a “working visit.” The trip is an attempt to escape the political controversies in Washington, and includes meetings with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Trump’s itinerary primarily involves visits to his two golf properties: Trump Turnberry in the west and Trump International, located about 200 miles away in Aberdeenshire. A highlights of his visit includes a dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new 18-hole golf course, the MacLeod Course, which is named to honor his late mother, Mary Anne MacLeod Trump.
Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, who was born in 1912 near Stornoway, Scotland, emigrated to the United States in 1930. Trump has previously expressed a strong emotional connection to Scotland, mentioning his affectionate ties to the country.
However, local residents have voiced significant opposition to Trump’s golf resort developments, citing past interactions with him and concerns regarding environmental effects. During Trump’s visit, organized protests have emerged, including demonstrators holding anti-Trump signs and rallies criticizing his policies and past actions.
The political climate in Scotland surrounding Trump is notably negative, emphasized by a recent editorial from the Daily Record which referred to him as a “menace.” Current polls indicate that 71% of Scots possess an unfavorable opinion of him. Authorities have escalated security measures in anticipation of the former president’s visit, marking it as one of the largest security operations since Queen Elizabeth II’s passing in 2022.
While the former president and his family are expected to mainly golf during their stay, they are likely to spend a significant amount of time out of the public eye. Previous visits have seen large protests against him, including a significant one in 2018, highlighting ongoing tensions related to allegations that Trump improperly blends business interests with his presidency.
In addition to golfing, Trump is also expected to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza during his meeting with Prime Minister Starmer. Activist groups have expressed outrage regarding Trump’s visit due to unfulfilled promises associated with his golf resorts, alongside ongoing concerns about environmental degradation linked to his properties.
Trump’s connection to Scotland has always been complicated. Despite a segment of the local population at his Turnberry resort expressing fondness for him, many residents feel disillusioned by his corporate developments which have reportedly fallen short of their promises, creating additional strife within the community. Tensions surrounding Trump’s golf courses have persisted for over a decade, fuelling discontent among the population.
As the former president continues this visit amid increased scrutiny surrounding both his business dealings and ethical standards during his administration, the political atmosphere surrounding him continues to evolve, reflective of a complex and contentious relationship between Trump and Scotland.
The visit is designed as a “working visit” to escape political controversies in Washington, including meetings with EU chief Ursula von der Leyen and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Two prominent events include visits to his golf properties and the dedication of a new golf course named the MacLeod Course, honoring his late mother.
Many locals have expressed opposition to his visit and there have been organized protests against him, emphasizing environmental and ethical concerns related to his business developments.
Historically, the political atmosphere in Scotland towards Trump has been largely negative, with recent polls showing 71% of Scots hold an unfavorable view of him.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Arrival Date | July 25 |
| Duration | Five Days |
| Main Locations | Trump Turnberry and Trump International Golf Links |
| Special Events | Dedicating the MacLeod Course |
| Protest Sentiment | Major protests organized against Trump |
| Local Opinion | 71% unfavorable rating among Scots |
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