The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Large crowds converge on Cowdenbeath to take in controversial Orange Order march.
Forty-three bands parade through Cowdenbeath causing traffic problems for visitors and residents, with some criticising the Protestant display
An estimated 4,000 people were in Fife on Saturday to march in sweltering conditions.
The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland’s controversial annual parade was one of the largest in Scotland, and involved lodges from Fife, Edinburgh, the Lothians and across the central belt.
In all, 43 bands paraded around the streets of Cowdenbeath to commemorate William III’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.
The crowds gathered at Beath High School for the speeches before assembling for the annual march.
It was a long walk and attracted large crowds, particularly to the High Street area.
It was a highly controversial event, drawing criticism from many local politicians and the public, not least because of the acceptance of an invitation to address the throng by DUP leader Arlene Foster.
With 100 extra police having to be drafted in, manyroadsaroundthetownwereclosed,causing chaos for residents and visitors. The restrictions extended to the A92 with the Cowdenbeath slip roads also shut for three hours.
It all had a huge impact on public transport, with the Confederation of Passenger Transport Scotland calling for a meeting to handle future events better to minimise disruption.
Abusive graffiti was also daubed across walls on the route while anti-Orange parade posters were put up across town.
One local, who did not wish to be named, said he had felt “like a prisoner” in his own town.
He said it was unacceptable for law-abiding citizens to have to bear witness and be subjected to such racist mobs on a yearly basis.
“We would rightfully never permit the EDL, SDL or any Islamic fundamentalist rallies to pass through the streets of Fife due to their impact on community relations. But I do not understand how this can differ from that.”