Highland Council asked to approve repeat of controversial Apprentice Boys of Derry Protestant march through Inverness
A controversial march through Inverness by a Northern Ireland headquartered Protestant group could be repeated later this year.
The Apprentice Boys of Derry - City of Inverness Campsie Club have again applied to Highland Council for the right to hold a procession through the city on April 12.
STORIES LAST YEAR: Apprentice Boys of Derry march in Inverness planned by City of Inverness Campsie Club provokes criticism of Highland Council and UPDATE: Northern Ireland headquartered Protestant fraternal society the Apprentice Boys of Derry defend right to stage a Highland Council sanctioned march through Inverness
Last year the prospect of the march provoked a storm on social media, with many opposed to it questioning why the council had sanctioned what some claimed was a “hate march” fuelled by anti-Catholic bigotry.
Others questioned whether Inverness was the right place for the group’s heritage to be showcased, given the lack of historic links between the organisation and the Highland capital.
On the day, though, the march passed peacefully with no reports of trouble.
Highland Council’s list of applications for processions and marches shows the Apprentice Boys of Derry expect around 300 people to take part.
The application is pending approval, but if granted the march will start at 3pm on April 12, at Victoria Drive in Crown, passing through Crown Drive, Crown Road, Eastgate pedestrian precinct, the High Street, Bridge Street, Castle Road, Ness Bank, Cavell Gardens War Memorial for a wreath-laying, then back along Haugh Road, Castle Road, Bridge Street, High Street, Eastgate, Crown Road, Crown Drive, with a finish on Victoria Drive.
