Donald Trump may be the most powerful member of Scotland's diaspora, but most people in his mother's country of birth did not view the US president's recent trip as the return of a prodigal son. As Trump touched down in Ayrshire late last week to begin a golfing holiday heavy on global geopolitics, Scotland's nationalist-leaning newspaper printed a front page that summed up how many here see him: "Convicted US felon to arrive in Scotland," it read. Show additional content? This content is part of the text you are currently reading. The provider X / Twitter provides this content and may collect your usage data directly when you click “Show content”. Always show content from X / Twitter. Anti-Trump protesters gathered under grey summer skies in Aberdeen on Saturday vented about the visit. "Deport Donald!" was scrawled on one cardboard placard. "Yer maw was an immigrant!" another sign read, adding some Scottish slang into the proverbial mudslinging. "Donald Trump does not represent the politics of the people of Scotland," demonstrator Alena Ivanova told DW. "He's not welcome here because he represents hate, and we support community and working together." Two police officers stand on a sandy road and talk to another officer on a quad bike. In front of them is a sign reading "Police. Restricted access beyond this point." Two police officers stand on a sandy road and talk to another officer on a quad bike. In front of them is a sign reading "Police. Restricted access beyond this point." A heavy police presence kept protesters far from Trump's golf coursesImage: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire/dpa/picture alliance Did Trump get a chilly reception from most Scots? This outright outrage at Trump's visit may be confined to opposition and activist circles, but Ivanona does have a broader point: Evidence shows the US president's politics don't chime with the majority of Scots. When asked how much they like him, Scots scored Trump an average of 1.76 out of 10. "Even those people who are more positive about him aren't going to be love-bombing him — and aren't expressing great affection for him," political scientist Chris Carman told DW. "Scots tend to see themselves as being more communitarian and somewhat more progressive," Carman, a professor at the University of Glasgow who crunched the polling numbers, explained. For now, the biggest political battle lines in Scotland — a nation of 5.5 million — are not between left and right. In fact, the most popular parties are both center-left, and instead public opinion is split on whether Scotland should divorce itself from the rest of the United Kingdom. The anti-Trump mood goes right to the top here. First Minister John Swinney, who heads up the devolved Scottish government in Edinburgh, publicly backed Trump rival Kamala Harris in last year's US elections. In February, Swinney accused Trump of promoting "ethnic cleansing" over his comments about Gaza. Trump gestrues as he sits in a high-backed green leateher chair with the US flag behind him on July 28, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland.Trump gestrues as he sits in a high-backed green leateher chair with the US flag behind him on July 28, 2025 in Turnberry, Scotland. Trump played host to his UK and Scottish counterparts as guests in their own countryImage: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images Holding court and ribbon-cutting But a lack of enthusiasm from the public did little to dampen Trump's mood this week. He seemed right at home as he cut the ribbon on his third Scottish golf resort, which includes a course named after his mother Mary Anne McLeod, who left Scotland for New York aged 18. To this day, Trump has first cousins living in the country. "We love Scotland," a visibly upbeat US president said on Tuesday. He even extended a rare compliment to journalists here. "They're not fake news — today they're wonderful news," he said. This kind of trip, mixing the private with the political — and business with pleasure — is unusual for a sitting US president. By now, America's allies are accustomed to Trump's tendency to upend diplomatic norms, but the sight of a US leader playing host to UK and Scottish counterparts as guests on their own soil was still striking. Trump was in control, but they seemed happy to play along — and all three will go back to their capitals claiming diplomatic or economic wins. US President Donald Trump, wearing a white cap wiht USA on it in gold, holds a pair of scissors in his had as he opens his new golf course at his Trump International Golf links resort on July 29, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland.US President Donald Trump, wearing a white cap wiht USA on it in gold, holds a pair of scissors in his had as he opens his new golf course at his Trump International Golf links resort on July 29, 2025 in Balmedie, Scotland. US President Donald Trump has his scissors at the ready to open his new golf course in Balmedie, ScotlandImage: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Trump pressed on Gaza UK prime minister Keir Starmer and Scotland's John Swinney both pressed Trump to use his influence to end the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, and Trump appeared to toughen his position on Russia — music to the ears of European allies. On a more personal level, Trump seemed sold on Scotland's Swinney, calling him a "terrific guy" before leaving on Tuesday. But Swinney was more cautious in his assessment, reflecting the political tightrope he is walking. Swinney steered clear of his past Trump-bashing, but also dodged repeated questions on whether he "liked" the US president. "He was pleasant company," Swinney told Scottish broadcaster STV on Tuesday. "I think my personal feelings about people are irrelevant. I've got a job to do," he added.