Scots divided as Donald Trump heads to Turnberry

Donald Trump likes a wall.

And now he has his very own 10ft-high metal barrier creating a fortress as he tees off for a weekend of politics, play and precision in Scotland. An almost surreal contrast now exists in the tiny Ayrshire village of Turnberry.

On one side, the stunning coastline and luxury hotel that bears the president's name. And on the other, an armed buffer zone with sniper teams and road checkpoints.

This visit is unlike those that have gone before. The threat level and associated security on display is unprecedented following the attempted assassination of Trump at a campaign rally in the US.

"It would be inappropriate for me to plan an operation and not bear in mind what has happened," the senior officer in charge of this weekend's policing efforts told me. Turnberry, and its population of about 200 people, have this week witnessed a never-ending stream of Army trucks, terrorist sweeps, road checkpoints, airspace restrictions, sniper positions being erected and Secret Service agents roaming around.

It is the most extensive security deployment in Scotland since the death of the late Queen in 2022. It is estimated around 5,000 officers will be on the streets, with teams coming from across the UK to assist.

The spectacle primarily centres on Donald Trump coming to play golf before the arrival of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for talks, likely on Monday. The president, whose mother was born on the Scottish island of Lewis, is then scheduled to travel to his Aberdeenshire resort where a new golf course is set to open.

'Trump is a decent boss' Stephanie Campbell and Leanne Maxwell live in Turnberry and used to work at the Trump-owned resort, like many other locals. The pair told Sky News the very first lesson staff at the resort are given is not in fine service or guest etiquette, but in how to respond to a bomb threat.

It is claimed there are posters above the landline phones in the hotel with instructions on the worst-case scenario. Stephanie told Sky News: "I had no issues working for him, he is a really decent boss.

"The last time he came there was an element of excitement, I think this time there comes with an added element of concern. "It brings a lot higher threats and security and it's much more difficult for everybody in the area." Echoing her concerns, Leanne told Sky News: "Security is obviously being bumped up.

It's quite worrying. He's quite a man, ain't he?" Sweeps of the rooms are carried out by US Secret Service agents after housekeeping staff complete their duties and Trump's meals, they say, are prepared by a personal chef to avoid the risk of poisoning.

To the outside world, these measures seem standard for a US president. But to those who live in Turnberry, it's far from normal when they have a date with the commander-in-chief.

Awkward encounters Prestwick Airport has become something of an American airbase in recent days. The infamous armoured limousine, known as "The Beast.