Donald Trump arrived in Scotland, where he plans to visit two golf courses he owns, publicly promoting his enterprises while the world grapples with pressing crises. The former president is set to tour Turnberry in South Ayrshire and the newly opened 18-hole course at Menie in Aberdeenshire. His visit is notable as US presidents seldom engage in such personal promotions while in office, raising eyebrows amid chaos in Gaza and Ukraine, along with ongoing scrutiny of his connections to convicted individuals.

Trump, whose mother hailed from Scotland, has long championed his Scottish courses, having acquired Turnberry in 2014. His trip this summer precedes a formal state visit planned for September, where he will meet King Charles at Windsor Castle. Although Trump will not meet the King this time, discussions with Scotland’s First Minister John Swinney and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer are on the agenda, focusing on trade matters, including US tariffs on Scottish exports.

A large security operation has been implemented, with military aircraft spotted at airports and roads secured across Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire to manage the anticipated influx of police and protesters alike. The policing of Trump's visit has fueled concerns regarding costs, estimated to surpass £5 million, amidst plans for rallies opposing his presence in cities like Aberdeen and Edinburgh.

Visits from sitting US presidents to Scotland have been rare; Trump himself came to the area in 2018, facing considerable protests. Polls indicate his unpopularity in the UK, but he may find supporters in areas reliant on the oil industry, such as Aberdeen, where he advocates for a resurgence in fossil fuel use over renewable energy options.

While tensions continue over his ventures, including opposition to local wind farms, Trump's interest in maintaining his golf resort’s reputation reflects his enduring entanglement of business with politics. As he navigates his dual identities as a businessman and a former president, the complexities of his Scottish visit underscore the contrasts between personal ambition and public duty.