A large-scale secret service operation is underway ahead of President Donald Trump’s visit.
Two United States Air Force Boeing C-17 transport planes unloaded equipment at Glasgow Prestwick Airport airport where Trump is due to fly into at the end of the week.
A motorcade of Chevrolet and Ford surveillance and satellite communication vehicles are also parked on standby at the airport.
Dozens of plainclothes agents were on site at HMS Gannet Royal Naval air station as the security preparations are finalised at Prestwick.
President Trump is currently in Brussels attending a NATO summit, before travelling to the UK for a state visit.
He will visit the Theresa May and the Queen with the First Lady at Windsor Castle, where they will have tea with the monarch.
The pair will then fly from London to Scotland, touching down in South Ayrshire on Friday in Air Force One.
Ahead of the President’s controversial visit, which is reportedly costing £30m, 150 US agents will be on call in anticipation of a heated reception from protesters.
Trump Turnberry, hotel, spa and golf resort, located 23 miles south of Prestwick Airport, will host Mr Trump as him and his wife Melania during their weekend in Scotland.
Security at the hotel is also tightening ahead of the presidential visit, with secret service staff on site and a large Police Scotland presence in and around the grounds.
The hotel remains open to the public today despite the security buildup.
A metal fence is being erected around the grounds of the main hotel where more protests are expected to take place in the coming days.
Today a group of activists from anti-discrimination group Stand Up To Racism descended on Trump Turnberry, South Ayrshire to protest against President Trump’s visit.
Around 5,000 Police Scotland officers are expected to be on duty to patrol anti-Trump rallies at his Ayrshire golf resorts and the Trump International Golf Links in Aberdeenshire.
Rhona McKinnon, 72, a protester from Prestwick, said: “I think Donald Trump is morally unfit to be president over his lying and attitude to woman.
“There are still children imprisoned on the US-Mexico border as well.
“We can’t stop him coming here, but I think it’s important to state your opinion if you disapprove of his actions – he amoral and immoral.”
Helen Blair, a retired school teacher from Glasgow, said: “We came down here to protest at Trump’s visit because he’s a misogynist, he’s a racist, he locks up children, he’s spoiling for a war, so he’s not welcome here.
“I think he general feeling across Scotland is a pro-immigration one and against all the things Trump represents. We don’t welcome him here at all.”
Protester Raymie, 38, who was dressed up as Mr Trump during the demonstration and is also from Glasgow, said: “We didn’t invite him, Theresa May invited him.
“It’s shameful that she has invited someone like Trump.
“The latest outrage is baby jails, it’s disgusting.
“You hear the stories of one and two-year-olds separated from their parents, it’s sick. These people are just looking for a better life.
“We want to make the point that the politics of someone like Trump isn’t welcome in Britain, nevermind Scotland.
“He’s giving confidence to racists everywhere and far right groups across Britain, which we’re seeing a surge in support of.
“We want to make it known that kind of politics isn’t welcome here.”
By Ben Gelblum and Paul Rodger
