Scotland's First Minister John Swinney will be the next UK leader to meet President Trump today.

Speaking to BBC Breakfast earlier today, Swinney said the president is "very welcome in Scotland".

However, he also defended the right of people to protest, and says it's "important" that people do so if they want to.

As for their conversation, Swinney said a large focus of discussions will be on Gaza, which is causing "deep unease, concern and heartbreak within Scotland".

"Trump has got a hugely influential position in trying to solve the situation in the Middle East."

Swinney said there are key domestic interests around trade, investment and economic connection with the US, and "tariffs are very important for the Scottish economy".

He focused on Scottish whisky, which is uniquely produced in Scotland, and Swinney intends to make the case that it should be exempt from any tariffs, which are costing the industry "£4m per week".

Donald Trump's motorcade has left the Turnberry golf course. The US president will now make his way to the next leg of his visit, in Aberdeenshire.

Image source, Reuters

Catriona Renton
BBC Scotland reporter at Prestwick

After a brief lull, it is getting busier here now by the runway at Prestwick airport as people gather to try and catch a glimpse of President Trump making his way to his Menie resort in Aberdeenshire later this afternoon.

However all eyes will not be on Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Most are here to see Air Force One, which has sat majestically on the tarmac since Friday evening.

Many of the people here have long lenses to try and get as close a look as possible.

Image source, Reuters

We're seeing an image now of Trump's helicopter, ahead of the president's departure for Aberdeenshire a little later.

Image source, Getty Images

Starmer and Trump held an hour-long press conference a little earlier, taking on dozens of questions ranging from Gaza to the EU-UK deal. But that's not the end of their expected appearances - here's what the two leaders will be up to for the rest of the day:

• Starmer and Trump will travel together to Aberdeen, according to the prime minister's office
• From there the pair will head to Trump's other golf hotel in the east of Scotland, where the US leader is opening a second course. They are expected to arrive at 17:25 BST (12:25 EDT)
• Scotland's First Minister John Swinney - who promises to make the case for cutting tariffs on Scotch whisky - is expected to meet Trump and Starmer on Monday evening for dinner
• President Trump will travel back to Washington DC on Tuesday, but is due to return to the UK for an official state visit in September

Trump's changing tone on Russia and Putinpublished at 15:50 British Summer Time 28 July

15:50 BST 28 July

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Washington DC

Image source, EPA

The news that Donald Trump is "disappointed" with Vladimir Putin and will "reduce" the 50-day deadline is no surprise to those who have been watching the White House closely.

For the last several months, Trump's tone on the Russian leader has slowly - but steadily - been changing.

At the beginning of his second administration in January, Trump's detractors often accused him of being overly reluctant to criticise Russia, and at times he even seems to suggest that Ukraine and President Volodomyr Zelensky bore some responsibility for the war starting.

Trump had also previously suggested that, perhaps, a ceasefire was just around the corner. But his patience began to wear thin over time as Russian missiles and drones continued to strike Ukrainian cities.

In late April, for example, Trump wrote on Truth Social that he is "not happy" with Putin, later adding that "things will happen" if the attacks continue.

"Vladimir, stop!" he added.

More recently, he has pledged new weapons available for Ukraine - a first during his administration.

Some detractors, particularly Ukrainians, have noted that the previous 50-day deadline means little on the ground and gave Russia more time to accomplish its military objectives.

Even with those weapons and the 50-day deadline, the attacks continued - and today's comments are a clear sign that he is growing exasperated.

Trump has said that he may announce something later today, given that there is "no reason to wait" for additional steps like secondary sanctions if Putin is not inclined to come to the negotiating table.

"Every time I think it's going to end, he kills people," Trump said. "I'm not so interested in talking anymore....we'll see what happens."

Ukrainian presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak has welcomed Trump's decision to reduce the 50-day deadline he had given to Russia to agree to a ceasefire.

In a post on X, Yermak thanks Trump for "standing firm and delivering a clear message of peace through strength".

He adds that: "Putin respects only power - and that message is loud and clear. When America leads with strength, others think twice."

Ukrainian MP Kira Rudik says Ukrainians hope Trump "acts now".

"After endless nights of Russia's terror, the news Ukrainians want to read over and over: President Trump is 'losing patience with Russia'," she writes.

Imogen James
Live reporter

Image source, PA Media

US President Donald Trump and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke for about an hour to a room full of journalists at Trump's Scottish golf club in Turnberry. The pair covered a lot of topics, here's the main points:

Ukraine: Trump set a deadline on 10-12 days for Russia to agree to a deal on Ukraine, effectively halving his previous 50-day deadline. Trump said if Russia doesn't come to an agreement he may impose sanctions and secondary tariffs.

Gaza: Starmer and Trump agreed that aid needs to get into Gaza and they need a ceasefire, with Starmer describing images of starvation as "intolerable". Trump said it has been "difficult" dealing with Hamas, and it's hard with hostages remaining in captivity.

Scotland: Trump announced he will meet Scottish First Minister John Swinney later today as he dodged giving his opinion on Scottish independence. He did however speak of his love for the country, and said "a lot" of the trade done between the UK and US will go to Scotland. He also took aim at the offshore wind turbines, calling them "ugly".

UK: Trump said he loves the UK government's plans to build three nuclear reactors, calling nuclear power "safe". On pharmaceuticals, Trump said he wants them to be back in the US, and said the UK has good pharmaceutical business.

Bernd Debusmann Jr
Reporting from Washington DC

Questions about the infamous "Epstein files" and Ghislaine Maxwell have continued to plague Donald Trump, thwarting the White House's efforts to move on from the story.

Trump has come under fire from both sides of the political spectrum for his handling of the issue, with some in his Maga base expressing dismay at the administration's failure to deliver a rumoured "client list" of Epstein. In a memo earlier this month, the justice department and FBI said there was no such list.

Epstein died in a New York prison cell in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges, following an earlier conviction for soliciting prostitution from a minor. His death was ruled a suicide.

Maxwell was convicted in 2022 of recruiting and trafficking teenage girls for sexual abuse by Epstein, her then boyfriend.

Maxwell's recent meeting with justice department officials has so far done little to assuage concerns from some of Trump's supporters.

Nor has Trump's efforts to shift focus to the Democrats, such as Trump's new claims that previously classified documents point to a “treasonous conspiracy” on the part of Barack Obama and others ahead of the 2016 election.

To some of his detractors, his statements, along with those of White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, suggest he is trying to shift attention away from Epstein - a charge the administration vehemently denies.

A spokesman for Obama issued a rare retort, calling Trump's attack "a weak attempt at distraction".

The bilateral press conference with President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Keir Starmer has now ended.

We will continue to bring you lines and analysis from the meeting, as well as more coverage of Trump's visit to Scotland. Stick with us.

Continuing to talk about Epstein, Trump tells reporters: "By the way, I never went to the island."

"I never had the privilege of going to his island, and I did turn it down," he repeats.

"In one of my very good moments I turned it down, I didn't want to go to his island."

Now, on to the topic that's had the whole world talking - the Epstein files.

A reporter asks Trump if the Attorney General has to tell him if his name appears in the files.

Trump immediately says his affiliation with the case is a "hoax" that has been built up "way beyond proportion".

He goes on to say those files were run by "the worst scum on earth", naming former President Joe Biden among others.

He says if they had anything on him, they would've released it when he was running for president.

Image source, UK Pool

Asked about his thoughts on wind energy, Trump says: "Wind is the most expensive form of energy and it destroys the beauty of your fields and your plains."

He says Aberdeen has "some of the ugliest windmills you've ever seen". He says the UK can instead get oil and gas out of the North Sea, which he says would be cheaper and less ugly.

Trump is asked whether he would rule out or ever consider a pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein's associate.

Ghislaine Maxwell is a convicted sex-trafficker who is serving 20 years in prison for helping Epstein abuse young girls.

"Nobody has approached me with it, nobody's asked me about it," he responds.

"It's in the news about that aspect of it but right now it would be inappropriate to talk about it."

Image source, UK Pool

Now a reporter asks Trump why he gave the UK a "better trade deal" than the EU.

"We have a very special relationship with this country," Trump says, adding that his mother was born there, and that "it always has an impact".

Trump says he "wants to see this part of the world to do well".

Trump is asked whether a tariff deal with China is expected before his August deadline. He says they are meeting right now, and that "we have a good relationship with China".

"China's tough...we're all tough, but we're gonna see what happens," he says.

Trump is now asked whether he has any advice for a "divided" and "polarised" world, and his thoughts on Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

"I like this man (Starmer) a lot, and I like Nigel," Trump responds.

He says one is "slightly liberal" and the other is "slightly conservative" but they are both "good men".

Starmer points to the "huge amount" the UK has already achieved with the US.

"The relationship between our countries [...] whether it's defence, security, intelligence sharing, is a close historic relationship," Starmer says.

"We've always stood together."

Although Parliament is currently on recess, a reporter asks Starmer is he will recall it so President Trump can speak to MPs.

Starmer reiterates that Parliament isn't in session at the moment, but goes on to say that this visit is "unprecedented" and there are many elements that have "never been seen before".

"This is not just a state visit," he adds that it's an "unprecedented second state visit".

Trump interjects, says the fact that it's never been done before makes it more "interesting".

Trump jokes that if Starmer wants him to speak in Parliament he'll do it, but adds that he might do it another time.

Speaking about his UK state visit planned for September, Trump says he is a big fan of King Charles and he "looks really well". He says nobody does pomp and ceremony like the UK.

A reporter asks if Trump will visit London during his stay, to which he says yes, adding, "I'm not a fan of your mayor". The president says Mayor Sadiq Khan has done a "terrible job", without elaborating.

Starmer interjects: "Well he's a friend of mine," the prime minister says, laughing.

Image source, PA

The pair are now asked about Scottish independence following comments from Scotland's first minister, who said an SNP majority at Holyrood is the only way to ensure a second independence referendum.

Trump says he doesn't want to get involved in UK politics, but adds that he'll meet Scotland's First Minister John Swinney today.

Starmer insists he wants a "stronger Scotland" in a "better United Kingdom", adding that this is a time globally of "uncertainty" and the UK is "always stronger as all four nations".