RNLI Stonehaven declined the offer of £850. 

A lifeboat station in the north east of Scotland has confirmed it has refused a donation from an flute band to celebrate the opening of a new Orange Lodge. 

Stonehaven RNLI turned down the funds from the Pride of the Rock Flute Band, who had offered £850 to the charity. 

The band had planned to lead a sectarian march to celebrate the opening of a new Orange Lodge in the seaside town. However, local councillors blocked the march, with a final decision on the march set to take place in the Sheriff Court this Friday. 

The Aberdeen Evening Express reports that the RNLI declined payment after becoming aware that the band had repeatedly paid tribute to members of the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF). The UVF is proscribed by the UK government as a terrorist organisation.

The band have previously posted a tribute describing William Campbell, the UVF’s former commander in Scotland, as a great man and “leader of our community”.

Campbell, a convicted terrorist, died in prison in 1997 after having orchestrated the bombing of two bars frequented by Catholics and Celtic supporters in Glasgow in 1979 - incidents which left five people injured. 

RNLI guidelines state that it should not accept donations from “an individual or company connected to activities which have led to the loss or serious harm of life”.

A spokesperson for the RNLI told the newspaper: “The RNLI looks at donations on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with our Donation Acceptance Policy.

“On this occasion the decision has been made to refuse the donation.”

Posting on social media, the band said: “We’ve a lot to say about the Stonehaven situation.

“It can wait until after the judgement. Believe, we dare not boast. Believe, we do not fear.”