Hundreds raise concerns over planned Stonehaven Orange Order march

Hundreds of people have raised concerns with Aberdeenshire Council about plans for an Orange Order march in Stonehaven on 27 June.

The event's organisers said it would commemorate the anniversary of 1690's Battle of the Boyne, and they expected about 70 people to take part.

A report to the council's licensing sub-committee said there were concerns around safety, public order and damage to property.

It said Police Scotland had "no credible intelligence" to indicate the procession was likely to cause disorder, but added that the force was aware of the potential for "significant community concerns".

The committee is expected to discuss the march at a meeting next Friday.

The organisers, Dunnottar Martyrs Memorial Loyal Orange Lodge, said the march would be a commemorative event.

Under the plans, the procession would start at Stonehaven's Baird Park and finish at the road junction leading to the old Stonehaven radio building.

More than 500 people with a connection to the local area have expressed concern at the plans.

The report to next week's licensing committee meeting includes a response from Police Scotland's chief constable Jo Farrell.

She said the "intelligence picture" in relation to the procession was developing.

The chief constable added: "There is presently no specific credible intelligence which indicates that the applicant or those within the procession are likely to cause public disorder.

"We are aware of the potential for significant community concerns and perhaps potentially the attendance of counter protest groups.

"This is something we will continue to monitor and will consider as part of the wider policing operation."

Police Scotland has suggested a restriction on the playing of music within 382ft (100m) of places of worship.

There are three churches along, or close to, the planned route.

The chief constable said experience of similar processions held elsewhere in Scotland indicated that places of worship were potential "flash points" for heightened tensions.