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Former President Donald Trump spent Saturday golfing at his Turnberry resort on Scotland’s southwest coast, even as protests erupted across the country criticizing his visit, his politics, and recent trade deals struck by the United Kingdom.
Trump, joined by his son Eric and U.S. Ambassador to Britain Warren Stephens, played 18 holes at the historic Turnberry course, which the Trump Organization acquired in 2014. Dressed in black and wearing a white “USA” hat, Trump drove a golf cart between holes while being shielded from protesters by a tight security perimeter.
He appeared to play nine holes before lunch and then returned for another nine in the afternoon. By midafternoon, plainclothes agents began departing, signaling the round had ended.
Meanwhile, more than 100 miles away in Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, hundreds of protesters rallied in front of the U.S. Consulate. Demonstrators condemned Trump’s visit and rebuked UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for signing a trade agreement with the U.S. to avoid tariffs — a deal some see as pandering to Trump ahead of a possible return to power.
“So many people here loathe him,” said Amy White, a 15-year-old protester. “We’re not divided by religion, race, or politics — we’re just united in our hate for him.”
The protests were part of a broader “Stop Trump Coalition” that brought together environmental activists, pro-Palestinian groups, and pro-Ukraine demonstrators. Organizer Anita Bhadani described the atmosphere as a “carnival of resistance.”
Demonstrations also took place in Aberdeen and other cities, with slogans like “Trump Out,” “Migrants Welcome,” and “No Treats for Tyrants.” One protester dressed their dog in a sign reading, “No treats for tyrants.” Others held images of Trump with Jeffrey Epstein — a reminder of ongoing public scrutiny surrounding the case.
Though not as large as the mass protests during Trump’s 2018 visit to Turnberry, Saturday’s turnout revealed enduring hostility toward the former president, particularly in Scotland, where his mother was born.
“Even though he has Scottish roots, he’s a disgrace,” said Mark Gorman, 63, of Edinburgh. “I have deep disdain for everything he stands for.”
Trump to Cut Ribbon at New Course
Despite the protests, Trump’s visit continues with trade meetings scheduled alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and UK officials, including Starmer and Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney.
He will also travel to the Aberdeen area in northeastern Scotland to unveil a second golf course — part of his family’s growing golf portfolio. The new course, opening next month, adds to the Trump Organization’s global golf presence.
The Scottish Government, led by Swinney, recently committed public funds to support the 2025 Nexo Championship, which will be held at Trump’s original Aberdeen course.
“Golf brings major benefits to tourism and the economy,” Swinney said in a statement confirming the event.
Still, political opposition is growing. At a protest in Aberdeen, Scottish Parliament member Maggie Chapman declared, “We stand in solidarity not only against Trump, but against everything his politics represent.”
Trump Misspells Turnberry in Praise
In a Saturday social media post, Trump quoted golfing legend Gary Player, who named Turnberry among the “Top Five Greatest Golf Courses” he had ever played. Trump praised the course — but misspelled the name of the city in the caption.
The former president has long campaigned for Turnberry to host the British Open again, though the R&A has declined to do so since the Trump Organization took ownership.
As Trump prepares to return to Washington on Tuesday, the protests underscore the polarizing nature of his international visits and raise questions about how global leaders navigate his political resurgence.
