Orange supporters in mass march

Police said the parade was "good natured"

About 15,000 Orange supporters have marched through Glasgow to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne.

Orange leaders used the event to warn First Minister Jack McConnell not to block their marches.

Traffic in the city was delayed as the two-hour parade weaved its way from Blythswood Square to Glasgow Green.

The Scottish Executive recently appointed a parades adviser to review the procedures for allowing marches and parades in Scotland.

Residents' complaints

Saturday's march may have been the last time that the parade followed its traditional route to Glasgow Green.

The city council is in talks with the Orange Order to change the route after complaints from residents.

At the end of the parade, George McNee, chair of the County Grand Lodge of Glasgow, which organised the event, addressed marchers.

Orangeism is here to stay, orangeism will always be in Glasgow George McNee

He said: "If you remember at the last elections for the Scottish Parliament, Jack McConnell said 'one nation, many cultures'.

"I must have left my glasses at home. I didn't see any small print. One nation and many cultures, except orangeism.

"Orangeism is here to stay, orangeism will always be in Glasgow."

Last week, the executive appointed former Strathclyde chief constable John Orr to review parade procedures in Scotland.

Deputy county grand master John McAvoy said he was concerned about the review which will look at various issues, including the rights of locals and the grounds on which a march can be blocked.

'Good natured'

Mr McAvoy said: "We believe there is no need or justification for such an appointment and that it can only create problems where none exist.

"We declare that we shall defend our right in law against any parading decisions that we consider to be prejudiced or unfair."

Strathclyde Police chief inspector John Hunter estimated that 15,000 people had joined the event.

He said: "The march has been good natured and so far there have not been any arrests."

The Boyne march marks the high-point in the marching season and commemorates the battle of 1690 when William of Orange defeated King James, who had been deposed in England two years earlier.