A LOYALIST group are set to march past an independence rally in Glasgow's George Square on Saturday.

Hope Over Fear expect thousands of Yes supporters to attend their event marking the anniversary of the 2014 referendum.

Last weekend, Glasgow City Council banned six marches after flashpoints at parades across the city in previous weeks saw violent incidents involving marchers, police and protesters.

This led to a decision by Glasgow City Council to place a ban on six parades through the city taking place last weekend.

The Independent Loyal Orange Institution (ILOI), a separate and much smaller institution than the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, expects 50 members to march between Blythswood Square and Abernethy St late on Saturday morning, and said it would be "bitterly disappointed" if its event was cancelled.

Hope Over Fear's rally is scheduled to start at 11.30am. However, organisers from both groups have said they expect no trouble, with last year's events by the same groups passing without incident.

A spokesman for the ILOI said: "As this is an ILOI parade it will be well marshalled and we would expect it to take place in the usual non-provocative manner all our parades adhere to.

"It must be remembered that this is a parade by the independent order who have never had any problems with their parades. I can't see how there will be any issues. The lodge will just be standing up for its own culture.

"The council's draconian views shouldn't take away from our freedom of expression we fought for. If we were instructed not to march we would not be in a financial position to challenge the decision, but we would be bitterly disappointed."

Hope Over Fear have said previous years have seen some shouting between the ILOI and pro-independence supporters, but that stewards, working with Police Scotland, have avoided any trouble. 

A council spokesman said: “The route and timing of any procession are obviously among the key considerations we discuss with police and organisers – and that would naturally include taking into account other events taking place nearby.”