Major security operation as Trump begins Scotland visit

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Major security operation as Trump begins Scotland visit
US President Donald Trump sits in a golf buggy at the Trump Turnberry Golf Courses in Scotland

A major security operation has surrounded US President Donald Trump as he played golf at the start of a five-day long private visit to Scotland.

The president headed to his Trump Turnberry resort – which he bought in 2014 – after arriving in the country last night.

This morning he was seen on the golf course there, wearing a white cap and driving a golf buggy.

Ahead of that, a large number of police and military personnel have been spotted searching the grounds at the venue in South Ayrshire.

US President Donald Trump plays golf on his course

Various road closures have been put in place, with limited access for both locals and members of the media.

Mr Trump is staying at Turnberry for the start of a five-day private visit to Scotland which will see him have talks with both UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Scottish First Minister John Swinney.

A meeting has also been scheduled for him to talk about trade with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen tomorrow.

With no talks apparently scheduled for today, the president – a well-known golf enthusiast – appears to be free to play the famous Turnberry course.

However, protests have been planned, with opponents of Mr Trump expected to gather in both Edinburgh and Aberdeen later on and the Stop Trump coalition planning what it has described as being a “festival of resistance”.

Police officers and soldiers search the first green at the Trump Turnberry course

As well as visiting Trump Turnberry, Mr Trump will head to Aberdeen later in his visit and is expected to open a second course at his golf resort in Balmedie.

As he landed in Ayrshire, the president took questions from journalists, telling Europe to “get your act together” on immigration, which he said was “killing” the continent.

He also praised Mr Starmer, who he described as a “good man”, but added that the Prime Minister is “slightly more liberal than I am”.

Today will be the first real test of Police Scotland during the visit as it looks to control the demonstrations in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, as well as any which spring up near to the president’s course.

The force has asked for support from others around the UK to bolster officer numbers, with both organisations representing senior officers and the rank-and-file claiming there is likely to be an impact on policing across the country for the duration of the visit.

Before the visit started, Mr Swinney appealed to Scots to protest “peacefully and within the law”.