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NI Orangemen at Scottish referendum 'No' Edinburgh rally NI Orangemen at Scottish referendum 'No' Edinburgh rally
(about 4 hours later)
Members of the Orange Order and bandsmen from Northern Ireland have joined a pro-Union rally in Edinburgh, with just days to go until the Scottish independence referendum. Orange Order members and bandsmen from Northern Ireland have joined a pro-Union rally in Edinburgh, days ahead of the Scottish independence referendum.
Organisers said more than 10,000 people were expected to take part. Police said 15,000 participants, 110 Orange lodge bands and several thousand spectators took part.
The official 'No' campaign has refused to publicly support the event. The official 'No' campaign refused to publicly support the event.
Grand Master Edward Stevenson said it was "an enormous celebration and an awesome expression of our pride in our United Kingdom".Grand Master Edward Stevenson said it was "an enormous celebration and an awesome expression of our pride in our United Kingdom".
"Our strength in numbers here today - in one of the largest Orange gatherings in recent times held in the UK - not only demonstrates our commitment to the cause, but also our grave concern at the imminent threat to the Union we all hold so dear," said the leader of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland."Our strength in numbers here today - in one of the largest Orange gatherings in recent times held in the UK - not only demonstrates our commitment to the cause, but also our grave concern at the imminent threat to the Union we all hold so dear," said the leader of the Grand Orange Lodge of Ireland.
Mr Stevenson said those who had questioned the rally's effectiveness had "demonised the Orange Institution in Scotland", and said Scottish Orangemen were "fully entitled to express their views in a democratic society on such an issue of utmost importance".Mr Stevenson said those who had questioned the rally's effectiveness had "demonised the Orange Institution in Scotland", and said Scottish Orangemen were "fully entitled to express their views in a democratic society on such an issue of utmost importance".
He said the march in Edinburgh would "celebrate our Britishness by parading through one of the UK's most iconic cities".He said the march in Edinburgh would "celebrate our Britishness by parading through one of the UK's most iconic cities".
"Next year, as is a long held tradition, many will return to Scotland to join you for your annual Battle of the Boyne commemorations and we very much hope that we will not require our passports," he added."Next year, as is a long held tradition, many will return to Scotland to join you for your annual Battle of the Boyne commemorations and we very much hope that we will not require our passports," he added.
Henry Dunbar, grand master of the Orange Order in Scotland, told marchers: "The 'No' campaign has been criticised for not showing enough passion for the Union - well look out, here comes some passion.Henry Dunbar, grand master of the Orange Order in Scotland, told marchers: "The 'No' campaign has been criticised for not showing enough passion for the Union - well look out, here comes some passion.
"We are the Orangemen and women of Scotland and we are passionate about our Queen and country.""We are the Orangemen and women of Scotland and we are passionate about our Queen and country."