US President Donald Trump set to visit Scotland later this month 

US President Donald Trump is set to visit Scotland later this month.

Police Scotland has confirmed that major preparations are under way ahead of the yet-to-be-announced visit.

It hasn’t been confirmed why Trump is making the trip Scotland, however, it comes ahead of the official opening of a second golf course in Aberdeenshire this summer.

Trump last visited Scotland in 2023, attending a ceremony to break ground on a second golf course at the Menie Estate.

The Aberdeenshire development proved controversial when it was first announced, with locals up in arms about the proposals, as well as Trump’s opposition to an offshore windfarm visible from the property.

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No tee times are currently available at either the old or new courses at Trump International Golf Links in Balmedie from July 28 to August 12.

During that time, the courses are hosting the Legends Tour Staysure PGA Seniors Championship – from July 30 to August 3 – followed by the Scottish Championship as part of the DP World Tour – from August 7 to August 10.

Guests are currently unable to book a room at Trump’s Macleod House located at the north east site from July 26 to August 13.

Tee times for all Trump Turnberry Courses are unavailable between July 26 and July 29. Rooms also cannot be booked between July 24 and July 28.

Assistant Chief Constable Emma Bond said: “Planning is under way for a potential visit to Scotland later this month by the President of the United States.

“While official confirmation has not yet been made, it is important that we prepare in advance for what would be a significant policing operation.”

The visit would be Trump’s first after he was elected for a second term. The Scottish Government confirmed that the First Minister was briefed about the visit on Tuesday night.

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “The Scottish Government has been working collaboratively with the UK Government to support Police Scotland preparations for a potential visit to Scotland by the President of the United States.

“The First Minister was briefed last night on policing preparations.”

Unprecedented second state visit

The US President was initially due to meet King Charles in Scotland this summer, however, this was cancelled due to “diary reasons.”

At the time, co-leader of the Scottish Greens Patrick Harvie called on the First Minister to “stand up” to the US president, accusing the Republican of being a “misogynistic, racist, climate-change denier”.

The unprecedented second state visit is now believed to be taking place in September. The formal planning for the autumn trip is now under way after a ‘Manu Regia’ – a hand-delivered invitation signed by King Charles – was sent to the White House by the British Embassy in Washington DC.

Due to ongoing refurbishment works at Buckingham Palace, all state visits have been moved to Windsor Castle.

First Minister John Swinney has said previously that Trump’s second state visit should not go ahead if the US withdraws support for Ukraine.

The SNP leader also stated he would not refuse to meet Trump if he came to Scotland, where he owns two golf courses.

The First Minister spoke to the US President in a call on December 10, in which they discussed Trump’s love of Scotland, where he has family roots.

However, the president’s son Eric earlier said it was “nasty” of the First Minister to endorse his father’s Democrat rival ahead of last year’s US election, saying Swinney had “read the temperature very wrong”.

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