U.S. President Donald Trump said on Monday he "never had the privilege" of visiting Jeffrey Epstein's island, saying he turned down an invitation from the convicted sex offender in what the president called a moment of good judgment.

The comments came as part of the president’s efforts to distract, deny and deflect from his long-running relationship with Jeffrey Epstein.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the US consulate in Edinburgh on Saturday to protest against the visit of US President Donald Trump to Scotland, while a separate demonstration was held in Aberdeen. Protesters took to the streets with homemade signs and flags in opposition to the US President visit to Scotland.

He is due to meet Donald Trump where he intends to raise issues of both domestic and international concern including the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. This meeting is likely to take place around the opening of a new Trump golf course at the family's Aberdeenshire resort on Tuesday.