Protesters take to Aberdeen's streets to protest against the US's far-right president's trip
People take part in a Stop Trump Scotland protest outside the US Consulate in Edinburgh, as US President Donald Trump begins his five-day private trip to the country at his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire, July 26, 2025
AS DONALD TRUMP teed off at his Turnberry golf course this morning, a lone fan warned the US president: “Don’t trust Starmer.”
The advice hollered across the greens came ahead of a meeting between Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Mr Trump at the South Ayrshire course on Monday.
The pair are expected to discuss trade and working with Qatar and Egypt towards a ceasefire in Gaza.
On Saturday protesters took to the streets of Aberdeen, close to Mr Trump’s second Scottish golf resort, and Edinburgh (pictured) urging both Sir Keir and First Minister John Swinney to challenge the US president at their respective meetings with him.
Amnesty International UK’s Sacha Deshmukh warned: “We are at a critical crossroads in the global struggle against authoritarianism. Sir Keir Starmer must use every tool at his disposal to confront Donald Trump’s escalating anti-rights agenda.
“Starmer must also speak out on the US government’s support for Israel’s genocide in Gaza and urge Trump to pressure Israel to change course. As mass starvation spreads amid Israel’s genocide, silence and inaction is not an option.
“This is a test of leadership and commitment to human rights. History will remember not just what was said but what was done.”
Mr Swinney has come under fire for handing £180,000 of public money to a crypto-firm-backed golf tournament to be held at Mr Trump’s Aberdeenshire course next month.
Scottish Green co-leader Patrick Harvie branded it “an embarrassing attempt to please a bully and shows the same craven attitude as Keir Starmer.”
He urged the Scottish government to use an unexplained wealth order (UWO) to investigate Mr Trump’s finances given his New York convictions for false accounting.
Referring to the planning concerns swept aside and compulsory purchase orders used to acquire the land for the course, he said: “The super-rich like Donald Trump must not be allowed to act with impunity — buying up land, trashing environmental sites and controlling politicians. Scotland isn’t their personal playground.
“Investigate Trump with a UWO instead of cosying up to him and trying to win his favour.”
It’s hard to understand how minor divisions can come to dominate the process of building a challenge to the rule of the rich when the desperate need for a vehicle to fight poverty and despair is so abundantly clear, writes MATT KERR
