Donald Trump is set to touch down in Scotland next week, marking his first visit to the country since returning to office for a second term as US President. The White House confirmed the visit late Thursday during a press briefing in Washington, DC.
His itinerary? Golf, politics, and controversy.
The trip, scheduled between 25 and 29 July, will see the president return to both of his prized golf courses — Trump Turnberry in Ayrshire and the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt laid out the plans clearly. “President Trump will travel to Scotland, where he will visit both Turnberry and Aberdeen, from July 25 to July 29,” she said.
The visit won’t just be about tees and fairways. Mr Trump will also meet with UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, with discussions focused on bolstering the long-standing trade ties between the two nations.
“During the visit, President Trump will meet again with Prime Minister Starmer to refine the great trade deal that was brokered between the United States and the United Kingdom,” Ms Leavitt stated.
Sources suggest talks with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney are also being arranged. The Scottish Government has yet to provide full details, but preparations are reportedly underway.
Police Scotland had already hinted at a high-profile visit earlier this month, confirming early-stage operational plans. Now, the speculation has been put to rest.
With global media expected to follow his movements, local authorities are bracing for heightened security and public attention, particularly around his golf estates.
Never one to shy away from controversy, Mr Trump stirred debate just days before his arrival. Speaking to the BBC, he said the north-east of Scotland should “get rid of the windmills and bring back the oil.”
This region, often dubbed the oil and gas capital of Europe, has long been a focal point for Trump’s energy criticism. He’s been especially vocal about the offshore wind farm near his Aberdeenshire resort.
The development, visible from the course, has drawn repeated ire from the president, who’s made no secret of his dislike for turbines marring coastal views.
This Scottish stopover isn’t the end of Trump’s UK travels. The White House confirmed he’ll return to Britain in September for his second official state visit during this term in office.
For now, though, the spotlight is firmly on Scotland, where golf, geopolitics, and global headlines are about to collide.
