Donald Trump hits the golf course in Scotland as protests continue

US president Donald Trump is spending the weekend in Scotland Credit: PA Wire/PA Images
  • Video report by ITV News Scotland Correspondent Peter Smith

Donald Trump has been pictured playing golf at his Turnberry resort in Scotland - as further protests against his UK visit took place.

Mr Trump, who was surrounded by an entourage, was playing on the Ailsa course - one of two courses at the resort, with his son Eric.

The US president had earlier tweeted that he would "hopefully" be playing golf in between meetings during his stay in Scotland.

Credit: PA
Credit: PA

Mr Trump and his wife Melania arrived in Scotland on board Air Force One on Friday evening, before travelling by motorcade to his Trump Turnberry resort in Ayrshire.

Mr Trump took to Twitter on Saturday morning to declare: "I have arrived in Scotland and will be at Trump Turnberry for two days of meetings, calls and hopefully, some golf - my primary form of exercise!

"The weather is beautiful, and this place is incredible! Tomorrow I go to Helsinki for a Monday meeting with Vladimir Putin."

The president is making what has been described as a "private visit" to Scotland, after meetings with Prime Minister Theresa May and the Queen on Friday.

He has strong connections with the country as his mother was born on the Hebridean island of Lewis before emigrating to the US, while he owns two golf resorts - Turnberry and Trump International in Balmedie, Aberdeenshire.

Protesters gathered outside both sites, with one of those outside the Aberdeenshire course carrying a placard telling the president: "Stop saying you're Scottish".

Credit: AP
Credit: PA
Credit: PA
A Greenpeace protester flies over Turnberry. Credit: PA

Police are investigating after a Greenpeace paraglider flew over Turnberry with a banner message saying “Trump Well Below Par” on Friday evening, despite airspace restrictions that were in place.

There were also protests in Edinburgh on Saturday, where the Trump "baby blimp" that was flown in London on Friday was put up.

Counter-demonstrations took place in London on Saturday, with a "Welcome Trump" protest marching to Whitehall.

They were joined by people taking part in a "Free Tommy Robinson" rally.

Scotland Yard imposed a series of restrictions on the rallies “due to concerns of serious public disorder and disruption to the community”.

  • ITV News Correspondent Dan Rivers reports on the London protests

Some 2,000 supporters of jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson took part in the march. Credit: PA

Mr Trump flew to Scotland after apologising to Theresa May over an incendiary interview criticising her premiership, and hailed UK-US relations as the “highest level of special”.

While tens of thousands of protesters staged demonstrations across the UK against Mr Trump’s views and politics, he met the Queen at Windsor Castle as the official part of his whirlwind visit to the UK drew to a close.

The US president and the Queen inspect a Guard of Honour Credit: Matt Dunham/PA

The main focus of Mr Trump’s visit was his meeting with the Prime Minister on Friday, which took place in the wake of an explosive newspaper interview in which he said the Theresa May’s Brexit plans would kill off a trade deal with America and Boris Johnson would be a “great prime minister”.

At a press conference later in the grounds of the PM’s country residence, Mr Trump insisted he “didn’t criticise” the Prime Minister and hit out at “fake news”.

The US president told Mrs May “whatever you do is OK with me” on Brexit, but urged her to “make sure we can trade together”.

Donald Trump and Theresa May held a press conference at Chequers on Friday. Credit: PA
While the leaders spoke, thousands protested in London. Credit: PA

The Prime Minister said the United States is “keen” to do a deal with the UK.

“We will do a trade deal with them and with others around the rest of the world,” she added.

Scottish Secretary David Mundell greeted the president at Prestwick on Friday night and said: “(Mr Trump) said he had been in Scotland many times and was very pleased to be here as president.

“He obviously feels very strongly about his mother’s Scottish heritage and he’s looking forward to playing golf at Turnberry and is hopeful that the weather will be conducive to that.”

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