Ugly Face

The ugly face of Glasgow is on show at the moment as a series of dreary 'Orange Walks' parade through the city to celebrate the victory of Prince William of Orange over King James II at the Battle of the Boyne in 1690.

Now unlike other wars and battles, the tone here is not one of commemoration and sadness about the loss of life caused by these conflicts - where both sides pay their respects to those who fought and died. 

Unlike, for example, the recent inclusive ceremonies in France to commemorate the earth shaking events of World War Two where the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, stood side by side with the French President, Francois Hollande, and the UK Prime Minister, David Cameron, while emphasising their common bonds and shared values.

But that's not what the Orange Walks are all about, not for a minute, because these ugly parades are all about triumphalism and celebrating a great 'victory' over historical enemies - they are exclusive, elitist events which set out to parade differences instead of bringing people together on a cross community basis.

And what drives the Orange Walks is good old-fashioned religious bigotry which is sad to see in this day and age, but looking on the bright side these events are slowly dwindling and losing their significance too most Scots who can find other ways to celebrate their culture and identity.