EDINBURGH / ABERDEEN, SCOTLAND – July 27, 2025 

President Donald Trump’s five-day visit to Scotland has ignited a wave of anger and widespread protests across the nation, with many Scots openly expressing their dismay over his policies, rhetoric, and what they perceive as a blurring of presidential duties with personal business interests. While the trip includes high-level diplomatic meetings, the extensive focus on his golf resorts has particularly rankled critics.

Hundreds of demonstrators have taken to the streets of Edinburgh, Aberdeen, and near Trump’s Turnberry and Menie Estate golf courses, wielding signs with slogans such as “Trump Unwelcome,” “No red carpet for dictators,” and “Veto the Cheeto.” Chants of “Donald, Donald, hear us shout, all of Scotland wants you out” have echoed through the streets, demonstrating the depth of public frustration.

The core of the anger stems from several key areas:

 * Policy Disagreement: Many Scottish protesters voiced strong opposition to President Trump’s policies, particularly concerning immigration, climate change, and human rights. His recent comments on European immigration, stating that “This immigration is killing Europe,” further inflamed sentiments. Environmental groups, in particular, have been vocal, as many of Trump’s past actions and statements directly contradict Scotland’s strong commitment to climate action.

 * Controversial Business Dealings: The visit’s heavy emphasis on promoting Trump’s golf courses in Scotland has drawn sharp criticism. Opponents argue that the President is leveraging his office to benefit his private business interests, raising ethical concerns. The opening of a new course named after his mother at his Aberdeenshire resort, while still President, has been highlighted by critics as an example of this perceived conflict of interest. Local resentment also lingers from past disputes with residents during the development of his golf properties, as highlighted by some neighbors who refused to sell their land.

 * Security Costs: The sheer scale of the security operation surrounding the President’s visit has also been a point of contention. With extensive police and military deployment, including snipers, sniffer dogs, and air surveillance, the cost to Scottish taxpayers is significant. This draws comparisons to previous visits, like his 2018 trip, which incurred millions of pounds in policing expenses.

 * Political Ideology and Character: Beyond specific policies, many Scots express a fundamental distaste for President Trump’s rhetoric and what they view as his divisive political style. Scotland’s largest newspaper, The Daily Record, published a scathing editorial calling him a “menace who has caused chaos at home and abroad,” citing his past refusal to accept election results and his status as a “convicted felon” as contributing to public outrage.

 * Support for Other Causes: Some protests also served as platforms for broader social and political concerns, with “Free Gaza” signs and Palestinian flags visible among the demonstrators, reflecting wider global tensions and humanitarian concerns.

Despite the widespread protests, the Scottish government, through First Minister John Swinney, has maintained that meeting with President Trump is “in Scotland’s interest” to “protect and to promote the interests of the people of Scotland” and discuss international issues. However, even this stance has drawn criticism, with some opposition figures likening financial support for golf tournaments at Trump’s courses to “handing some pocket money to the school bully.”

As President Trump continues his stay, splitting his time between golf and high-level talks, the visible anger on Scotland’s streets underscores the complex and often contentious relationship between the two nations, particularly when personal enterprise and powerful politics intersect on Scottish soil.