EDINBURGH, Scotland — As President Trump embarked on a weekend of golfing in his late mother's homeland, a wave of protests swept through the country. Hundreds of demonstrators rallied outside his resorts and in various cities across Scotland, showcasing their dissent through banners, chants, and even creative forms of protest like abseiling off bridges. Protesters waved Palestinian flags and called for the U.S. president to be deported, reflecting deep-seated sentiments against his visit.
One of the notable protests took place outside the U.S. consulate in Edinburgh, where demonstrators expressed their disapproval of Trump's presence in Scotland. One protester humorously held Scottish bagpipes in one arm while brandishing a sign that read, "At least this bag of hot air serves a purpose." Another banner proclaimed, "Scotland is already great," a twist on Trump's infamous "Make America Great Again" slogan.
Among the protesters was Niamh Cunvin-Smith, a 25-year-old who traveled from Inverness. She voiced her frustration, stating, "Why on earth is this convicted felon allowed to come into our country and play golf when the people do not like him?" Although Trump has Scottish roots, the sentiment among the populace is overwhelmingly negative. A recent poll indicated that 71% of Scots harbor an unfavorable opinion of him, in stark contrast to 57% across the United Kingdom.
While Trump is considered a native son of Scotland, his visit has been met with skepticism and disdain. The president's mother, Mary Anne MacLeod, hailed from the Isle of Lewis in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. She emigrated to New York at 18, where she married and raised a family. Her legacy, however, appears to be a point of contention for many Scots who feel that Trump has misused his heritage for personal gain.
Janet MacLeod-Trotter, a distant relative of Trump, participated in the Edinburgh protests holding a sign that read "MacLeods against Trump." She expressed her discontent, stating, "A lot of Macleods are very upset with the way he's conducting all sorts of international and national issues." MacLeod-Trotter highlighted that many clan members feel ashamed of their name being associated with Trump's new golf course in Aberdeenshire, which he is set to inaugurate in honor of his mother.
Trump's visit has not been without controversy. Questions surrounding his policies on Gaza, tariffs, and his past friendship with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein have followed him to Scotland. Upon arriving in Glasgow, Trump denied any knowledge of his name appearing in Epstein's files and mentioned his ability to pardon Epstein's former associate, Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking. He dismissed inquiries about Epstein as an overblown media narrative.
However, protesters were undeterred, holding signs featuring Trump alongside Epstein. Similar imagery has popped up across London, and earlier in the week, Scottish activists stealthily placed a sign outside one of Trump's golf resorts, insinuating a connection between the property and Epstein's infamous island.
In light of Trump's visit, a massive security operation has been deployed across Scotland, with police forces from the U.K. supporting local authorities. The financial burden of this operation is expected to fall heavily on Scottish taxpayers, prompting concerns from both citizens and police unions about the allocation of resources. Kerry Walsh, a visitor from Glasgow, expressed her worries about the costs, stating, "I don't know what the benefit of him being here is, if I'm honest."
President Trump is scheduled to remain in Scotland until Tuesday, during which he will meet with key figures including U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Scottish First Minister John Swinney, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The purpose of these meetings is to refine a limited U.K.-U.S. trade deal announced in May, although Trump downplayed the seriousness of the discussions, suggesting they would be more celebratory than substantive.
Looking ahead, Trump is set to return to the U.K. in September for a state visit with King Charles III at Windsor Castle. This upcoming visit marks an unprecedented second state visit for Trump, who previously met with Queen Elizabeth II at the same venue in 2019.
