Despite dire warnings over the potential for “disorder, disruption and discontent,” a mass Orange march in Perth passed off without major incident.
The town centre came to a standstill on Saturday as thousands of loyalists, roared on by countless supporters, paraded along local roads.
The march had been organised by the Orange Lodge to commemorate the 1690 Battle of the Boyne.
There had been fears the parade would spark a “riot” and more than 1400 people had signed up to a Facebook page calling for it to be cancelled.
While supporters of the march insisted it would merely be a “fun-filled day out,” others feared disaster.
The parade had also sparked heated political debate, with Perth and North Perthshire MP Pete Wishart insisting it should never have been given the go-ahead.
“I am extremely disappointed that the County Grand Lodge of the East of Scotland decided to bring their annual parade to Perth,” he said. “The history of this parade … has been a legacy of disruption, disorder and discontent.”
The procession required a massive police presence with 100 officers from Tayside Police supplemented by 20 special constables.
Workers in the town centre spoke of a “strange atmosphere” prior to and during the controversial parade.
One staff member at a major food retailer said Friday had been “incredibly busy.”
“A lot of people were telling us they were stocking up on Friday as they were too worried to come into the town centre during the parade,” she said.
“We were incredibly busy and people genuinely feared there might be trouble.
“You may get plenty of Orange marches and such like on the west coast of Scotland but it is not something we are used to here and locals maybe felt a bit intimidated.
“I suppose the fear of the unknown is a big thing you do hear of trouble at these events.”
Around 4000 members of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland took part in the parade, while thousands more came out to witness the spectacle.
Opponents had called for members of the Perth public to turn their backs on the marchers but there was little sign of overt protest on the route, with many people actually clapping, singing and roaring their approval.