Donald Trump is set to make a visit to his luxury resort in Turnberry, located on the west coast of Scotland. His visit has generated international outcry and dramatically increased military presence throughout the city. Trump’s resort features a massive golf course that he opened in 2016. It’s been in the spotlight because of his many controversial statements and actions that have directly impacted the local community.
The Turnberry resort is more than a golf-focused tourism destination. It represents Trump’s vision for an £1 billion pound coastal development scheme that would create luxury mansions and high-rise timeshare apartments. As local resident Rohan Beyts reminds us, these promises are all made and broken. Beyts expressed his disappointment, saying, “Where’s the big development that was supposed to come in as replacement jobs for the oil and gas industry?” He continued, “I’m just blown away at how easily these politicians were bamboozled.”
On top of these promises not kept, some were suspicious due to the President’s history with the local region. He had once notoriously called a coastal guard station that he was trying to buy, shuttering this important public service in the process, a “visual slum.” It took him several tries to purchase the property Longfellow now called home that belonged to David Milne. Both times, Milne adamantly denied the city’s attempts to buy his property. This unsportsmanlike behavior is one reason why there’s so much local anger directed at the former president.
Earlier this year, things changed dramatically. Trump refers to pro-Palestine group that vandalized Turnberry course as “terrorists.” This assertion has already raised the stakes on the violence that seems to be brewing around his planned visit.
In response, the authorities have sent police forces to prevent people from entering the beach close to the resort. They’ve even installed road diversions and security checkpoints, expecting his visit.
Among others, activists have coordinated protests to oppose Trump’s presence in the city. Local organizer Sarah Venus shared how historic these protests were. People are starting to put two and two together and understand that this is a transnational fight against fascism. It’s not just that it’s going on over there in the US. We have the opportunity to be watchful and aware and to stop it from coming here and getting us too,” she said.
Even in the face of these protests and overwhelming community opposition, Trump has continued to double-down, more defiantly saying, “I will do as I please. What’s more shocking is his complete disregard for what his constituents want. Poor, largely Black and brown residents say they’ve been pushed to the margins by his development agenda.
Rohan Beyts, another dissatisfied local, emphasized the gap between Trump’s intentions and the actual outcome. He added that “Donald Trump’s promises are not working out.” This feeling is one shared by countless community members disappointed by the former president’s promises.
The local council has thus far played a key role in shaping the politics around Trump’s visit. Artist and activist Sarah Venus was recently served with an order to take down her protest banner. Undeterred, she re-hung it in Stornoway to make a public and unapologetic statement of her opposition to Trump’s agenda and arrival.
David Milne issued a passionate statement in favor of activists. I would get on the street if I thought my action could make Krastev continue, but I fear it would only strengthen his ego.