Protesters urged to be 'peaceful' during President Donald Trump's visit to Scotland

Protestors have been urged to remain “peaceful” and notify police of their plans during Donald Trump’s visit to Scotland

The US President will visit both of his golf courses in Scotland: Turnberry in Ayrshire and Menie in Aberdeenshire, between July 25 and 29.

The President will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer while in Aberdeen, while plans are being put in place for the President to meet First Minister John Swinney, according to the Scottish Government.

Police are working on the assumption that there will be protests in Ayrshire, Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh

Assistant chief constable Emma Bond, who is heading up the operation, said Police Scotland will take a “proportionate” approach to ensure people can protest safely, with the force offering to engage with demonstrators ahead of time on a “no surprises” basis.

Bond told STV News “We will absolutely look to accommodate and communicate with protest groups to make sure they are able to exercise those rights.

“Anybody who does plan to attend, I’d ask them to get in contact and speak to our protest liaison officers so we can maximise our no surprises approach.

“We have a style and desire that our approach is one that is a focused and positive one.”

A warning was also issued to any supporters of Palestine Action planning to attend any protests during the President’s visit.

The ACC stated that people deemed to be supporting the proscribed group would be “liable to arrest” under the Terrorism Act.

‘It is a complex policing operation’

The policing operation will be the biggest the force has faced since the death of Queen Elizabeth I in 2022.

Although Trump’s first visit since being voted in for a second term is “complex”, the large scale operation is something Police Scotland are “very experienced” in dealing with, according to the ACC.

The current plan involves local, national and specialist officer from Police Scotland as well as other forces following a request for mutual aid.

ACC Bond said: “It is a complex policing operation.

“One that focusses on maintaining public safety, ensuring we balance people’s right to peaceful protest and making sure we minimise disruption to wider communities.

“It is a significant event but one where Police Scotland are very experienced in terms of planning operations and events at this scale.”.