APPLE boss Tim Cook has made a surprise visit to staff in Glasgow.

The chief executive, who is in Scotland to collect an honorary degree from the University of Glasgow, dropped into the Buchanan Street store and briefly spoke to staff.

Work stopped for around 15 minutes yesterday afternoon as staff and customers greeted Cook and took photographs.

Before leaving, he was presented with two gifts – a tartan scarf and an embroidered picture.

He said he loved the scarf but asked: “How are you supposed to fold this?” The embroidered picture shows Cook waving and the words: “Welcome Tim.” It also features saltire flags and the Loch Ness monster.

Cook was awarded a doctorate of science in a ceremony at the university later in the day and also took part in a ‘’fireside chat’’ and Q&A session with students and university staff.

During the session, he reiterated his opposition to US president Donald Trump’s travel ban.

He said: “I wrote this letter, you probably read about it unless you’re living underground, about the most recent executive order that was issued in the US. We have employees that secured a work visa, they brought family to the US, but happened to be outside the US when the executive order was issued and all of a sudden their families were affected. They couldn’t get back in.

“That’s a crisis. You can imagine the stress.

“If we stand and say nothing it’s as if we’re agreeing, that we become a part of it.

“It’s important to speak out.”

Since taking the helm of the company, Cook has led the introduction of new products such as the iPhone 7, iPad Pro and Apple Watch. He is also leading a company-wide effort to use 100 per cent renewable energy at all Apple facilities. In 2015, the 56-year-old became an honorary patron of Trinity College Dublin’s Philosophical Society.