Hangover of disruption from Donald Trump's visit continues for locals in Turnberry
Donald Trump has departed Turnberry - and with him went an unprecedented security and police contingent.
Traffic tailbacks were seen in Turnberry as Donald Trump left the village in a fleet of at least 20 large vehicles after three nights at his luxury resort.
The small village of about 200 residents was dominated by an unprecedented level of security and the world media as the US president touched down on his Ayrshire golf course, Ailsa, on Friday.
The main road leading to the Turnberry Hotel, bought by Mr Trump in 2014, was closed with diversions in place for motorists, buses and pedestrians in the days leading up to the visit and all weekend.
Checkpoint signs were dotted about the village with police officers guarding each one, only allowing occasional media and hotel staff through.
But now, the unprecedented security presence, believed to be the biggest one in Scotland since the late Queen's funeral in 2022, is packing up after days of Mr Trump's luxury resort resembling a military training ground with a 10ft fence round it.
As Mr Trump left on Monday afternoon in a motorcade, also carrying Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer after the pair met for talks, disruption hit commuters in Turnberry.
Traffic was held up after a fleet of at least 20 vehicles carrying the political leaders and accompanying security left the village.
It comes after days of road disruption leading up to and during the president's visit. Residents in Girvan complained the local petrol station was blocked off for a period of time to allow the Trump entourage to stock up on fuel.
The A77, a popular route for lorry drivers travelling to and from Stranraer in Dumfries and Galloway, regularly experienced traffic jams as police paused vehicles passing through Turnberry to make way for official visitors to meet Mr Trump, including family members and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.
Staff working in the Balkenna Tearoom, a spot popular with drivers taking a break, said they were glad to hear Trump was on the move given the disruption to travel times. While some local residents, including businessman and hotel owner Kenny Weir, showed up to show their support for Mr Trump, others said the heavy 24-hour surveillance and police presence was "overkill".
Snipers were visible from watchtowers and police helicopters were regularly seen and heard circling overhead throughout the president's stay.
Locals commented on how the security was on another level compared to when Mr Trump previously visited the golf course in 2019, despite that year seeing more protesters demonstrating at the resort, including the late comedian Janey Godley holding her famous sign.
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