Across Edinburgh and Aberdeen, thousands of demonstrators have taken to the streets to demand mass deportations, following President Donald Trump’s harsh immigration rhetoric during his visit to Scotland.
Trump landed in Scotland on July 25 for a private four-day trip at his Turnberry and Balmedie golf resorts. While addressing the press at Prestwick Airport, he described migration to Europe as a “horrible invasion” and warned European leaders to “get your act together or you’re not going to have Europe anymore”
Immediately thereafter, crowds gathered in major cities across Scotland—many of them aligned with the Stop Trump Coalition—with signs calling for strict enforcement and deportation of undocumented migrants.
Some protesters cited Trump’s words as rallying cries, chanting slogans like “Stop the invasion!” and advocating sweeping expulsions from the U.K.
Police Scotland deployed its largest mobilization in years—up to 6,000 officers in all—to manage the planned protests and ensure public order amid heightened tensions.
These demonstrations come just hours after Trump’s remarks, indicating that his immigration framing resonated with a segment of Scottish activists. Speakers at the rallies criticized not only immigration policies, but also the UK government’s hosting of Trump events, demanding tighter controls and border shutdowns.
First Minister John Swinney had earlier urged citizens to protest “peacefully and within the law,” while leaders from the Scottish Greens and the Unite union voiced strong opposition to Trump’s stance on migrants, calling it “outrageous” and “divisive”.
Despite the pressure, neither the UK nor Scottish governments has announced new border or deportation measures.
The protests reflect growing unease within Scotland over immigration and sovereignty, and signal deep frustration with political leaders aligned with Trump’s stance.
