Donald Trump in Scotland: Aberdeen reacts as US President to arrive at Balmedie golf resort

US President Donald Trump has met with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Monday at his Turnberry course. He will then make the trip to his second golf course in Aberdeenshire where he will meet First Minister John Swinney.

On Saturday, hundreds turned out to Union Terrace Gardens in Aberdeen to protest the arrival of the US President. As the president prepares to head north to his Balmedie golf course, The Scotsman spoke to residents of the Granite City to hear their thoughts on his visit.

Jenny Henderson, from Inverurie, said Mr Trump “isn’t welcome” in Scotland.

She said: “I wish he’d stay away. We don’t want him. I just think he’s a criminal and we don’t want any criminals in Scotland.”

However, Aberdeen resident William Brown had different thoughts about the president’s visit.

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He told The Scotsman there was “good and bad” about Mr Trump, but stressed the US president was “doing good” for Scotland.

“There’s good and bad with the guy,” he said.

“I look at the prospects of Balmedie. The amount of jobs he’s put into that place and also down at his other golf courses.

“He has definitely brought something to Scotland, whether you love him or loathe him. He’s doing good.”

Ace Kinnaird, from Aberdeen, and Melody Kidd, from Stirling, both said they “weren’t fans” of the US president.

Kinnaird said: “I just don’t know why he’s here, he doesn’t deserve to be here really. He should be in jail.”

Last week, First Minister John Swinney announced that £180,000 of public money would be used for the 2025 Nexo Championship at Trump International in Aberdeenshire.

Kinnaird added: “That shouldn’t be something we pay for, we should be paying for something that actually matters to our city, not for someone who deserves to be thrown into jail.”

An advertising van displaying a photograph of Mr Trump with convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein was driven around Aberdeen on Monday. The action comes amid backlash over the Trump administration’s handling of the Epstein case.

Ross Scott, who was working with the Everyone Hates Elon team for their media, said: “He [Donald Trump] is a terrible person, isn’t he?

“I think the really frustrating thing about him is that you can’t ever beat him because he’d never accept it. He’s just an abhorrent human being.

“The more people that get onboard with that, the better.”

Mr Trump is due to arrive at his second course in Aberdeen on Monday evening.

Follow The Scotsman’s live blog for all updates as President Trump meets the First Minister and Prime Minister today.