LOYALISTS in Scotland are planning a virtual parade to mark annual July 12 celebrations.
With all of this year’s Orange walks cancelled due to coronavirus, the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland is hoping to broadcast footage of previous marches, as well as a live church service.
As part of events to mark the Boyne celebrations, held to commemorate protestant king William III’s victory in 1690, organisers are also planning to stream live bible readings and other speeches.
READ MORE: Orange Order marching season is officially cancelled amid Covid-19 pandemic
Jim McHarg, grand master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, told the Times: “We are going to have a virtual parade made up of footage of old parades and speeches. It will be like the day would have panned out but it will be on YouTube or Facebook.
“It will be a bit like watching Sky Sports just now with football matches from years ago.”
WATCH: Loyalist demonstrators clash with police in George Square
Groups in Belfast reportedly plan to go a step further, with marchers using virtual reality technology while walking on treadmills to make the experience as lifelike as possible.
Recent Orange parades in Glasgow have been marred by violence, with clashes between Irish republicans and loyalists last year.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel