ON THE MARCH
Eight arrested for ‘minor offences’ at Orange Walk as thousands filmed marching through Glasgow city centre
The city was a sea of orange as the annual parade made its way through the town centre this morning
EIGHT people were arrested for "minor offences" at the Orange Walk in Glasgow today as thousands marched through the city centre.
An estimated 4,500 marchers took part and a further 4,000 spectators were in attendance in the annual parade which celebrates Prince William of Orange's victory in the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
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Many as the walk made its way along St Vincent Street in the city centre around 10.30am this morning.
But police said the arrests were over "minor offences" and no major incidents of trouble occurred.
Reports suggest 18 arrests were made at last year's annual parade.
A total of 63 bands and 151 lodges from Glasgow and surrounding areas joined the march.
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The main County Grand Orange Order parade began at George Square and followed a route through St Vincent Street down into the Saltmarket area in the east side of the city.
Streets throughout the city were shut from 8.30am until 4pm.
Earlier, a number of smaller "feeder" marches took place in various districts of the city, before participants assembled for the main parade.
Police had warned of the possibility of considerable traffic disruption in and around the city with a number of key thoroughfares closed off for the march.
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Speaking ahead of the event, Police Scotland superintendent Alan Murray, the officer in charge of policing the event, said public safety was his priority.
He said: "As everyone should be aware by now, drinking alcohol in the street or in any public place is illegal and officers will be ensuring that people comply with this legislation.
"Previous experience shows that it is the unwelcome minority who use the event to drink too much and cause offence. However, be assured we will not tolerate and sectarian or antisocial behaviour."
Jim McHarg, Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, said the parade comes after more than 4,000 Orangemen the east of Scotland recently rallied at Prestonpans, East Lothian, in an "entirely trouble-free" event viewed by hundreds of spectators.
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