Trump Scotland visit confirmed
6 July 2018, 16:16
He once described his mother as being "seriously Scotch", but that seems unlikely to be enough to prevent Donald Trump from facing a hostile reception when he comes to Scotland next week.
The UK Government has confirmed the controversial US president and his wife Melania will travel to Scotland next Friday evening, after meeting the Queen at Windsor Castle.
The president - whose mother was born on the Hebridean island of Lewis - and First Lady are expected to be in Scotland until Sunday.
While the exact details of the visit are not yet known, it is widely expected Mr Trump will play a round of golf at one of the two courses he owns in Scotland.
Police Scotland have already said his visit will require more than 5,000 officers to police, at a cost of some £5 million - although this will be paid for by the UK Government.
There was a small protest when the billionaire tycoon - who was then the Republican presidential candidate - visited his Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire in June 2016.
On this occasion, protest group Scotland Against Trump is organising a series of events to coincide with his visit.
A rally is planned for Glasgow's George Square on Friday evening, while on Saturday there will be a protest outside his Balmedie golf course in Aberdeenshire.
A national demonstration is planned at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on the same day, along with a "Carnival of Resistance" in the Meadows area of the capital.
There are currently no plans for First Minister Nicola Sturgeon to meet the US president.
During a speech in London on Friday, she took a swipe at Mr Trump over his previous opposition to an offshore wind farm off the coast of his Aberdeenshire resort.
The 11 giant turbines there have just started generating electricity, with Ms Sturgeon hailing them as "marvels of engineering".
A Scottish Government spokesman said while no talks are scheduled with the president, Ms Sturgeon will "consider a meeting should one be proposed".
He said: "President Trump is coming to the UK at the invitation of the UK Government. However, the Scottish Government has been planning for some time with key partners, including Police Scotland, for the possibility of the president's itinerary including a visit to Scotland.
"Scotland has deep and longstanding ties of family, friendship and business with the United States, which will continue to endure. At the same time, we will not compromise our fundamental values of equality, diversity and human rights, and we expect these values to be made clear during the presidential visit to the UK.
"We would encourage those attending any protests to do so peacefully and safely."
Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard has vowed his party will help lead the protests against Mr Trump - branding the president a misogynist and a racist.
Mr Leonard said: "The sight of mothers separated from babies and children caged like animals has horrified people across the globe, we should not be welcoming the man responsible.
"It is my view, and that of the Scottish Labour Party, that someone who holds such misogynist, racist and anti-trade union views, not to mention his dangerous approach to foreign policy, and someone who rejects the Paris Climate Change Agreement, should not be given the 'red carpet' treatment.
"That is why Scottish Labour is helping to lead the Scotland United Against Trump campaign to ensure there is a mass protest against Donald Trump next week, with events in Glasgow and Edinburgh."
Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie said: "Donald Trump has not been invited to Scotland, and even if he sticks to Turnberry or Menie there will be huge protests in our biggest cities that will send a message loud and clear.
"Greens will be proud to take part in events in Glasgow and Edinburgh next Friday and Saturday to tell this vile xenophobe that he and his climate denial, his bullying attitude and his racist and sexist politics are not welcome here."
