Stonehaven Orange Order march approved despite residents' concerns

An Orange Order march in north-east Scotland has been given the go-ahead by councillors for the first time in almost 25 years.

Aberdeenshire Council agreed that the parade in Stonehaven could be held with conditions - which include no music being played near churches.

More than 500 people had expressed concerns about the event by the Dunnottar Martyrs Memorial Loyal Orange Lodge

Orange Order processions, which commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Boyne, are common in other parts of Scotland but are rare in the north-east.

The last march in the region took place in Aberdeen in 2001, when protesters followed the 200 attendees through the city centre.

A parade had not happened in Aberdeen for 14 years before that.

Stonehaven residents raised concerns at the meeting about counter protests and a risk to businesses.

Brian Menzies of the Stonehaven and District Community Council said residents were "deeply worried and exasperated" about the procession.

But the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland's executive officer, David Walters, told councillors that other marches were planned in the country that day and the parade posed no threat.

Aberdeenshire Council set out nine conditions for the parade's approval.

These include no halberds or weapons, marching no more than four abreast and no music played within 100m either side of a place of worship.

The committee noted it had been a difficult decision but the risk factors, such as public safety, public disorder and damage to property and disruption of the community, were not high enough to prohibit the march.

Two years ago the Orange Lodge was banned from marching through Stonehaven to mark the opening of a new lodge in the area.

In March 2024, a sheriff dismissed an appeal by the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland against the decision by Aberdeenshire Council, and the subsequent opening of a new Orange Lodge in the town passed peacefully.

The approved procession is planned to start at Stonehaven's Baird Park and finish at the road junction leading to the old Stonehaven radio building.

Organisers expect about 70 people to take part.