POLICE and the Orange Order have called for a “peaceful” parade to mark the Battle of the Boyne on Saturday after last year’s rally was marred by violence.

Commemorative processions will close streets in Glasgow as marchers mark the clash in 1690 which saw Protestant King William of Orange defeat the deposed Catholic king James II in Ireland.

Thousands of members of Glasgow’s 182 Orange Lodges are expected to take part the annual “celebration”, which begins around 9:30am and continues into the afternoon.

Police arrested eighteen people at last year’s event and a twelve-year-old girl suffered a head wound when she was struck with a glass bottle after a fight broke out in Glasgow Green.

Chief Superintendent Andy Bates, the local police commander for Greater Glasgow Division, has warned troublemakers to stay away.

He said: “Each year Police Scotland works closely with the Orange Order and Glasgow City Council to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the parade, including the public and my officers, and to ensure that it passes off peacefully.

“It is one of the largest policing operations the force deals with annually and I would say to people, usually the unwelcome minority who turn up and use the event as an excuse to drink and cause offence, rather than the marchers themselves, that if you intend causing any offence - sectarian or otherwise, you will be arrested.”

Edward Hyde, County Grandmaster of Glasgow and Grand Secretary of the Orange Lodge of Scotland, said the organisation will also keep a close watching brief.

He said: “The Order will deploy hundreds of its own stewards, drastically reducing the call upon police time and costs.

“The Order regards this celebration as a family event which it does not want spoiled by unacceptable behaviour from a minority who insist on tagging on to the parades. We ask everyone to enjoy the event peaceably and responsibly.”

Saturday’s Boyne parade follows a controversial “Orangefest” event in George Square on June 6 which was disrupted by torrential rain and high winds.

Glasgow City Council gave the green light to the so-called “Cultural and Heritage Day” despite thousands of objections.

Mr Hyde said: “Following the success of their Orangefest heritage event, the organisers of this year’s Glasgow Boyne celebrations - better known as the Orange Walk - are anticipating an enjoyable and trouble-free day on Saturday.

“We’re also hoping for better weather. Orangefest was beset with blustery winds that prevented the erection of several exhibition marquees in George Square.

“Despite this setback, the security firm clicked 10,162 visitors through the gates of the main exhibition area. With not a single adverse incident to mar the day, the event was hailed a great success.”

Saturday’s parade will begin at Cathedral Square shortly after 9am and take a route through the city before supporters reach Glasgow Green where the crowd will be addressed by Henry Dunbar, Grand Master of the Orange Order in Scotland.

Chief Superintendent Bates said: “At 9.25am the County Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland Office Bearers and Colour Party will, after a service at Glasgow Evangelical Church, proceed to George Square for a wreath laying ceremony.

“At 10.25am they will begin their parade to Glasgow Green via Nelson Mandela Place, George St, High St, Saltmarket and the McLennan Arch.

“Between 12.45pm and 1.45pm a rally will take place within Glasgow Green at a stage at Nelson’s Monument, south of The People’s Palace.

“All participants will then form up in preparation for leaving via the McLennan Arch at 1.45pm.”

Glasgow City Council will oversee a traffic management plan which will see dozens of streets closed to traffic.

Motorists can expect a heavy police presence and they have been warned to leave extra time for their journey.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: ““We work closely with Police Scotland to ensure organisers plan properly for events and take their advice on the safety and security of the route, including traffic management.

“However, it is inevitable that a large event such as this will have an impact on travel in and around the city centre.”

Full details of the parade route can be found at Glasgow City Council’s website www.glasgow.gov.uk/processions.