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Crowds gather for Scottish Barack Obama event | |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Former US president Barack Obama is to speak at a charity dinner in Edinburgh later, addressing an audience made up largely of business leaders. | |
The event has been organised by the Hunter Foundation, set up by the philanthropist Sir Tom Hunter. | |
Mr Obama had visited St Andrews earlier, playing a round of the golf on the Old Course. | |
The former president arrived in Edinburgh by private jet, on what is his first visit to Scotland. | |
Crowds gathered in Edinburgh in advance of Mr Obama's evening engagement. | |
Stewart Kermack, 61, from Prestwick, said: "I came especially to see Obama. I think he is a great guy and was a very charismatic leader." | |
The dinner at the EICC is thought to be one of his first major addresses since his term as president came to an end. | The dinner at the EICC is thought to be one of his first major addresses since his term as president came to an end. |
Tickets for a table of 10 at the event are understood to have cost about £5,000. | Tickets for a table of 10 at the event are understood to have cost about £5,000. |
All of the cash raised will be split between children's charities in Scotland and the Obama Foundation. | All of the cash raised will be split between children's charities in Scotland and the Obama Foundation. |
Security is expected to be tight in Edinburgh as police step up resources around major events in the wake of the Manchester bombing. | Security is expected to be tight in Edinburgh as police step up resources around major events in the wake of the Manchester bombing. |
Comedian Kevin Bridges, singer Annie Lennox and Scottish band Texas will provide entertainment at the event and young people will also be involved. | Comedian Kevin Bridges, singer Annie Lennox and Scottish band Texas will provide entertainment at the event and young people will also be involved. |
Thirteen-year-old Mila Stricevic, from Glasgow, will read a poem after winning a schools competition. | Thirteen-year-old Mila Stricevic, from Glasgow, will read a poem after winning a schools competition. |
Mr Obama, a golfing enthusiast, had been joined in St Andrews by Sir Tom Hunter, whose charitable foundation had invited Obama to speak in Edinburgh. | |
After completing the third hole, Mr Obama spoke to the crowd who had been following him around the course. | |
He shook hands with people and asked them how they were doing before heading back to play golf. | |
The Hunter Foundation has previously arranged for US politicians and actors including Bill Clinton, Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney to come to Scotland. | The Hunter Foundation has previously arranged for US politicians and actors including Bill Clinton, Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney to come to Scotland. |
Last year, Leonardo DiCaprio travelled to Edinburgh to speak at the Scottish Business Awards at the EICC. | Last year, Leonardo DiCaprio travelled to Edinburgh to speak at the Scottish Business Awards at the EICC. |
Announcing Barack Obama's visit in April, Sir Tom said: "From the south side of Chicago to the White House has been an epic, historic journey and it will be a true honour to hear that story from the man who made that journey. | Announcing Barack Obama's visit in April, Sir Tom said: "From the south side of Chicago to the White House has been an epic, historic journey and it will be a true honour to hear that story from the man who made that journey. |
"We are both truly proud and delighted to be hosting the 44th president of the United States in Scotland at this event." | "We are both truly proud and delighted to be hosting the 44th president of the United States in Scotland at this event." |