Grand Orange Lodge Of Scotland

450th The Scottish Reformation

"Amazing Grace"

Grand Gospel Rally

Featuring Brother Rev William McCrea celebrated preacher and gospel singer

Saturday 18th September at 7pm

The Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow

All tickets £5 only from RCH box office, Tel 0141 353 8000 or contact Olympia House.

The KB Shop @ Olympia House

Just Released 450th Anniversary of the Reformation Medal

Pendant on an azure blue ribbon, our commemorative medal depicts the burning bush, historic emblem of Scotland's Reformed Kirk.

£10 (plus £1 p&p)

Rule Britannia Campaign Medal

Available now at £10 includes p&p

A convention of over 600 Scottish Orangemen held in Glasgow on Saturday 14^th June pledged to face down any threat to the political integrity of the United Kingdom.

Scottish Grand Master, Ian Wilson, told delegates that “the Union of 1707 has been good for Scotland and remains in our best interest.” He went on to say that it was time for the Orange Order “to replace rhetoric with action if we are truly to be worthy of our inheritance and defend the things we believe in.”

Wilson admitted to a grudging admiration for First Minister Alex Salmond who he called “a smart operator”. “To see him perform you’d never guess he is First Minister of Scotland thanks to just 24% of the electorate, or that he heads a minority administration that is outgunned by the collective strength of the unionist parties.”

Wendy Alexander received a stinging rebuke from Wilson, who said she would have to be “a whole lot more impressive and convincing than she has been to date if the Scottish Labour Party is ever to regain its pre-eminence in Scottish politics.”

The lodge convention was also addressed by the Grand Masters of the Order in England and Ireland. Following the meeting, Orange leaders held further talks on their intentions to mobilise the membership throughout the UK to argue the case for the UK.

ACT OF UNION PARADE HUGE SUCCESS

TO CELEBRATE THE ACT OF UNION

A record 12,000 Orangemen took to the streets of Edinburgh this afternoon to celebrate the 300^th Anniversary of the Act of Union.

Following a Service of Worship and Public Meeting in The Meadows, the parade, led by the Grand Masters of the Scottish, English and Irish Grand Lodges made its way through the capital with Union flags flying. This is the largest Orange Parade to take place in Edinburgh in more than 50 years.

“We were overwhelmed by the number of members who wanted to come to our historic capital today to show their support for the Union. We expected around 5,000 Orangemen to make the trip but it became quite clear early on that more than twice that number wanted to attend.

“I am sure this is because our members feel a deep rooted patriotism towards Scotland and the United Kingdom, and because they understand that the Union is under threat should there be a Nationalist victory at the forthcoming elections.

“Yet again our members conducted themselves with great dignity and their pride and patriotism was clearly on display. There was a distinct celebratory feeling in the air today and I hope the people of Edinburgh were able to share that excitement too.”

In his speech to members, before the Parade, Ian Wilson compared the mood in 1707 to the mood today. He said to members,

“If you had dared to celebrate the Act of Union on the streets of Edinburgh in 1707, you might just have been lucky to escape with your lives! There is no doubt that the Union with England, and the politicians who brokered that union, were not popular with everyone. Lots of ordinary folk didn’t trust what their politicians were up to - does that have a familiar ring to it? Nothing much changes, does it?

“Getting into bed with the Auld Enemy in a united country was way too much to swallow for some of our forefathers of 300 years ago. And yet those good people were in dire straits. The Scotland of their day was impoverished, struggling and in desperate need of a dramatic rescue plan. There were years of hard winters and failed harvests. Food was short and money was tight. The Scottish politicians who negotiated a Union with England, and who got it in the neck from no less an authority than Rabbie Burns, had nothing much to bring to the bargaining table. Poor old Scotland was virtually bankrupt. And yet, just look at what this so-called “parcel o’ rogues” managed to broker:

“A union of equal partners, in which every Scot and every Englishman would have the same rights and privileges. A union in which the distinctive character of Scots Law and the Presbyterian Kirk would be guaranteed. A union which would open up trade with England to Scots traders and entrepreneurs - and not just with England but also with the American colonies. A union which created the means for the Scottish Enlightenment to spread far beyond our borders. A union in which Scottish missionaries, educators, explorers, industrialists and those simply seeking a better life moved out across the globe and prospered. A union which would in time become a vast, wealthy trading Empire and the means that would save Europe in the darkest hours of two world wars. When you think about it, it was not bad going for a “parcel o’ rogues”!

“And this is the Union we celebrate today, a Union that we would have to say has been vastly to our benefit. And yet it’s a Union that, for many of our fellow-Scots, remains just as controversial and just as unwanted today as when it was created in 1707. And isn’t it ironic, that in this very year when we mark the 300^th anniversary of the Act of Union, there is to be an election for the Scottish Parliament that might just, if we’re not careful, put the Union in jeopardy?

“Let’s be very clear about this: this great rally today is making a big statement. By being here today, by marching through streets where history was made with heads held high and with banners flying, you are making a declaration that you are proud to be Scottish and proud to be British. By being here today you are saying in unmistakeable terms that you support 100% the Union of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. But what will this grand rally, this huge march, really achieve? Well it will certainly make us proud of who we are and what we are. Hopefully there will be others who will see our great procession and catch the pride too. And it will send a message to the nationalists and the separatists that, while we respect your view, we don’t buy your argument.

“But let’s not kid ourselves. When this grand occasion is over and the last band has stopped playing and the last banner has been rolled away – yes, we will be able to look back on March 24^th and be justly proud that we did something big for the Union today. But we have a much bigger date with destiny in five weeks time. On May 3^rd - polling day. What will you do for the Union on that day? If the opinion polls are to be believed, then Alex Salmond of the SNP has every justification for his smug smile. If the opinion polls are to be believed, then Jack McConnell is in trouble. Not that I have much sympathy for Jack McConnell, but I know who I’d rather see as First Minister come May 4^th!

“But if it happens that it’s Alex Salmond, it certainly won’t be because the people of Scotland have voted for independence. It will be because the people are looking for an alternative government at Holyrood – not a ticket out of the United Kingdom. The vast majority of Scots are more concerned about the quality of government over bread-and-butter issues like education and health than with dreams of independence. And if Alex Salmond wins the vote, it will be because people think he might be able to make a better fist of things than Jack McConnell - not because they want to rip Scotland out of the Union.

“But there’s a big problem here, because that’s not how Alex Salmond sees things! He made that abundantly clear just last Sunday, when he told an SNP conference in Glasgow that the first 100 days of an SNP administration at Holyrood will pick fights with Westminster from day one, setting out to deliberately create conflict within the Union. And so let’s be clear on this. An SNP administration at Holyrood might well be a refreshing change in all sorts of ways, but it would come at a price. A grim determination to break up the Union is part of the package, and we and every other voter have to be clear about that.

“We are faced with a real dilemma on May 3^rd. Oh yes, I’d dearly love to see Jack McConnell take a pelting at the polls just as much as you would, but I’ll tell you this – when I go to vote, I won’t be playing games with the Union. We must not allow ourselves to be beguiled. This organisation does not tell its members how to vote, unlike some church leaders. But it does tell its members to be responsible citizens and to take part in the democratic process. And it does tell its members that you cannot afford to play fast and loose with the future of the Union.

“And so the message to carry home from this great rally today, to your friends and family, and to your neighbours and workmates, is this: the Union is not for sale! And here on this platform today, at this great Act of Union Celebration, we have the Union represented by three Grand Masters. I’m proud to share this platform with them, and to have had this opportunity to show a united front for the country we ll love.

“Our parade today will be led by Scotland’s ancient saltire, and the King’s Colours of the Union. It is Scotland that put the blue in the Union Flag. That blue is still there today. And by God’s grace, that blue is there to stay!”

Notes to Editors

Itinerary

1-30pm – Parade set off down Forrest Road, George IV Bridge, High Street, Canongate and Abbeyhill with dispersal on Regent Road

The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland has criticised the First Minister for breaking promises made to involve them in drawing up plans to end sectarian bigotry in Scotland.

The First Minister today launched an ‘ACTION PLAN ON TACKLING SECTARIANISM IN SCOTLAND’. However, the Orange Lodge has never been asked to contribute in any way, shape or form to the plan.

Despite promises made at the Sectarian Summit held by the First Minister in February 2005 that there would be working groups established to take matters forward, the Orange Lodge has never been invited to take part in any groups or to comment on any group activity or reports.

It appears that other groups in Scotland who attended the Summit, including the Catholic Church, have also been ostracised by the First Minister and have joined in the criticism of the handling of this issue.

“We are very disappointed that so little has happened since the summit held almost a year ago. We publicly stepped forward and offered to help and cooperate but to this day we haven’t been asked to get involved in any of the promised working groups or to contribute to the Action Plan being launched today.

“Indeed, we only found out on Thursday of last week that the First Minister had drawn up this Action Plan. We were advised of this in an email which informed us that we would not be invited to the launch of the document.

“If the First Minister is serious about tackling this issue in Scotland then he needs to start including, rather than excluding, different groups within Scottish society.

“Thus far, our only involvement seems to have been in providing photo opportunities for the First Minister. That has to end. We want to be involved in a serious way and we would like to reiterate our offer of help and cooperation to tackle this issue.”

Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland

Ian Wilson, Grand Master of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, makes the following comments on Sir John Orr’s Review of Marches and Parades in Scotland:

Scotland has been fortunate that someone of Sir John Orr’s stature and experience was available and willing to undertake this review, and I would wish to pay tribute to the thorough and professional way he has conducted it. We were delighted to meet with Sir John, to submit our opinions, to discuss our ideas and to share our experiences. As Sir John observes, marches and parades are a traditional way of life in Scotland, of which those of the Orange Order play a large part. Our celebration parades and rallies, giving pleasure to thousands of spectators, have been an integral part of Scottish culture for more than two centuries.

It is right that the regulations and practices surrounding marches and parades – whether traditional ones such as ours or those more recent on the scene – are regularly looked at and reviewed to ensure that they are planned and conducted within a framework which ensures the safety both of those parading and spectating. It is vital that all applications to parade are treated fairly and the criteria used are the same; and that the process of application and decision are understood by all, are transparent, and have the confidence of everyone involved – applicant, local authority, police, and community.

The sharing of best practice has to be welcomed and should ensure that all such parades and celebrations are conducted within a framework which creates a genuine partnership between those who organise a parade, the local Council who must regulate and license, the local police who must be content with the proposed route and public safety, and the local communities in which parades are held. We believe Sir John has delivered a measured and inclusive report that balances rights with responsibilities.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland wholeheartedly welcomes the recommendations made by Sir John and hopes that all other affected organisations involved will do likewise. The recommendations must be seen as a complete package and must not be cherry picked. We would now expect any legislation arising from the report to reflect both the spirit and context of Sir John’s report, and we look to Ministers to give that assurance at the earliest opportunity. For our part we have no hesitation in pledging ourselves to work with the relevant individuals and bodies to ensure that these recommendations are adopted and implemented.