TURNBERRY, United Kingdom (AFP) — United States President Donald Trump played golf under tight security on the first full day of a visit to Scotland Saturday, as hundreds of protesters took to the streets in major cities.

Trump played at his Turnberry resort on the southwest coast of Scotland with son Eric and the US ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens, waving to photographers. He arrived in his mother's birth country on Friday evening.

His presence has turned the picturesque and normally quiet area into a virtual fortress, with roads closed and police checkpoints in place.

Police officers — some on quad bikes and others on foot with sniffer dogs — patrolled the famous course and the sandy beaches and grass dunes that flank it.

Secret Service snipers were positioned at vantage points while some other golfers on the course were patted down by security personnel.