Stonehaven Orange Walk blocked after court refuses appeal

An appeal to overturn the decision of prohibiting an Orange Walk through Stonehaven has been refused by a court.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland appealed Aberdeenshire Council's decision to block a planed procession through the town due to take place tomorrow, 16 March.

200 people were expected to march through the streets of Stonehaven to mark the opening of a new lodge in the Town Hall.

The local authority raised a number of concerns, including public safety, damage to property and a strain on police.

The Orange Lodge highlighted this would be a "peaceful" procession lasting 30 minutes with "no threat" to the public.

However, after a full day at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on Friday 15 March, Sheriff Ian Miller refused the group's appeal meaning the parade will not go ahead.

"Bitterly disappointed"

Speaking after the decision, Executive Officer at the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, David Walters, said they were "bitterly disappointed" and didn't expect "mob rule to win the day".

Reading a statement from the organisation, he said: "Regrettably, it appears that the threat of violence and intimidation won the day over human rights and civil liberties.

"Throughout Scotland, and further afield, there will be many who will be aghast at this undemocratic decision taken by the courts on this dark day for Scotland’s civil liberties."

Lawyers for the Orange Lodge argued Aberdeenshire Council's reasons for prohibiting the parade were "inadequate, unbalanced, and lacked transparency".

Their legal team also highlighted Police Scotland had no objections to the march, having suggesting stewards be upgraded from six to 20, and the force was ready to police the procession tomorrow.

Aberdeenshire Council's legal team recited a thread of emails and letters received by Stonehaven locals and business owners voicing safety concerns and potential disruption.

This included letters from two MSPs.

Mr Walters confirmed they will now be consulting with their legal team about the possibility and practicality of mounting a further legal challenge to today's decision.

Orange Lodge opening to go ahead

Despite the outcome, the Orange Lodge will still be making its way to Stonehaven this weekend to mark the opening of the new lodge at the Town Hall.

Mr Walters continued: "The parade is just a part of the celebrations of the lodge opening up tomorrow that will still happen.

"We will open the lodge tomorrow, we will celebrate that. It's just unfortunate that we will not be able to parade through the streets."

Mr Walters said he hopes there could be a possibility for a Stonehaven Orange Walk in the future.