Words alone cannot build bridges

Despite dire warnings and predictions in the lead-up, a major Orange Order march in Fife at the weekend passed off relatively peacefully. There had been fears the annual display of pageantry by one side of the religious divide would stoke trouble, not least on a hot weekend when political tensions are already high.

Adding controversial DUP leader Arlene Foster to the mix had the potential to bring matters to the boil.

Thankfully, as is usual, supporters and objectors largely behaved themselves — in public, if not on social media — with just a few pockets of disturbance reported.

Ms Foster used her address to the marchers and onlookers to call for literal and metaphorical bridge building.

Many scoffed as much at her notion of closing the religious and cultural divide between Catholics and Protestants as they did at the idea of a road bridge between Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Both are nice ideas but seem somewhat unattainable at present.

Although the magic money tree was shaken to sweeten the deal between the DUP and Tory government, it is unlikely to reap more fruit for a cross-sea bridge.

Orange Order marches unashamedly celebrate a past which attendees have every right to revel in but until a more forward-thinking outlook is taken, it seems likely Ms Foster’s more lofty wish will, similarly, go unrealised.