By Olivier Acuña Barba •
Published: 25 Jul 2025 • 23:49
• 2 minutes read
US president Donald Trump said “it’s great to be in Scotland” as he landed for a four-day private visit | Credit: Michael Candelori/Shutterstock
US President Donald Trump landed at Prestwick Airport at around 20:30 on Friday, greeted by Scottish Secretary Ian Murray and US Ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens.
With a brief smile and comment — “it’s great to be in Scotland” — Trump boarded the motorcade to his Turnberry resort in South Ayrshire. He is scheduled to play golf on Saturday and stay there through the weekend, the BBC reported.
Addressing reporters before departure, Trump praised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying “he’s slightly more liberal than I am… but he’s a good man. He got a trade deal done” after over a decade of negotiations. He also spoke favourably of Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney, describing him as “a good man” and looking forward to their meeting.
‘The Beast’ greeted by a protest
The heavily escorted motorcade, featuring more than two dozen vehicles including Scotland Yard escorts and medical support, reached Turnberry by 21:30. En route, “The Beast” passed a small protest group. Trump’s Scottish itinerary continues later with a visit to his Aberdeenshire estate. On Monday, the US president plans to meet with Starmer in London, and on Sunday, with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to discuss transatlantic trade.
At Turnberry, Trump will officially open a new 18-hole course at Menie in Aberdeenshire, crediting the late Sean Connery with helping secure planning permission. Earlier in 2019, Trump International had unsuccessfully contested a North Sea wind farm development near there, citing damage to the view from his golf course.
White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers called the Scotland swing a “working trip.” But according to the AP, she added Trump “has built the best and most beautiful world-class golf courses anywhere in the world.”
An ‘invasion killing Europe’
Trump used his arrival to criticise European wind farms. Those windmills, he said, “ruin fields and oceans and kill birds,” urging nations to “stop the windmills.” He also warned Europe to tighten immigration policy, calling illegal migration an “invasion killing Europe.”
Security has been tight across Ayrshire and Aberdeenshire, with mutual aid officers from other UK forces, road closures, checkpoint controls, and reinforced barriers at both resorts. Protests are expected in Edinburgh and Aberdeen over the weekend. Trump has scheduled to depart Scotland on Tuesday and is set to return for a state visit to the United Kingdom 0in September.
