A huge police operation is underway in Turnberry, Ayrshire, ahead of the US President’s four-day golfing trip, with huge protests expected to take place in Scotland over the weekend
A village in rural Scotland is being transformed into a fortress as embattled Donald Trump flees amid growing questions about his links to paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
A huge operation is underway in Turnberry in Ayrshire ahead of the controversial US President’s visit. A 10ft metal barrier has been put up, sparking complaints that the usually-quiet area now looks like an “American prison”.
Huge protests are expected over the weekend as Mr Trump touches down in the UK on a personal visit. Sniper teams and road checkpoints are visible in the usually-quiet rural setting north of the border.
Thousands of police will be on duty in one of the biggest operations in Police Scotland’s history. Mr Trump is visiting Scotland to open a golf course dedicated to his mother Mary, who grew up on the Isle of Lewis.
The massive security blitz comes ahead of a state visit in September which is expected to bring chaos to Britain’s streets. Marches are set to take place in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen over the weekend.
READ MORE: Donald Trump flees to Scotland as backers admit Epstein files could lead to impeachment
Police are wary of the threat to Mr Trump, highlighted a year ago when a gunman opened fire at him during a campaign speech in Pennsylvania. Independent councillor Gavin Scott, who lives nearby, told the BBC many locals are feeling “nervous”.
Mr Scott said: “We’re all quite excited, although there is a bit of negativity attached over who is footing this massive security bill. And does he [Trump] have to make the place look like one of his American prisons?”
Local Leanne Maxwell, who used to work at the President’s golf club, told Sky News: “Security is obviously being bumped up. It’s quite worrying. He’s quite a man, ain’t he?”
Police Scotland is on high alert, with both uniformed and specialist teams on standby – although official details of the visit remain tightly under wraps. A “no fly” zone has been set up around the golf course.
Mr Trump is expected to meet Keir Starmer, who will travel up to Scotland for talks. He is also set to meet First Minister John Swinney.
As well as visiting his Turnberry resort, the US President is also due to visit his club in Menie, Aberdeenshire.
Back home in Washington, Mr Trump’s problems are piling up despite his efforts to distract from the Epstein scandal. The US President is reported to have been named in documents about the notorious late paedophile, who was linked to hundreds of powerful figures.
Privately, even some of the President’s most loyal supporters are discussing the possibility that the revelations to come could lead to him being impeached for a third time. Such a bombshell move would most likely have to wait until after the midterm elections, where Democrats hope to retake one or both chambers of Congress.
As well as enjoying rounds of golf at Turnberry, his favourite of the courses he owns, Trump will cut the ribbon on a new course at his Aberdeenshire links on Tuesday. Before that, he’ll sit down with Keir Starmer for a meeting on Monday morning – when they’re expected to discuss some of the final small print of the trade agreement between the UK and US, which aims to avoid some of Trump’s outlandish blanket tariffs.
It’s understood the pair will have lunch at Turnberry before flying together to the Aberdeen course – but Mr Starmer is not expected to do any golfing.
The Stop Trump Coalition have announced demonstrations on Saturday in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen to coincide with the visit. And campaign group Everyone Hates Elon posted a video of pranksters adding a sign to the entrance of Trump’s golf resort in Turnberry, saying it was “twinned with Epstein Island”.
IThe Scottish Police Federation said policing will be “seriously affected” by the trip – though Mr Swinney insisted the visit would not put forces in a “detrimental position.”
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