In August 1854, a riot broke out following the annual races at the Old Racecourse, when a fiddler in one of the beer tents started playing Party tunes at the request of some Orangemen. One man was killed and several injured in the ensuing fracas. This resulted in Miners in some of the pits going on strike to force the expulsion of Catholic Miners.

The first recorded outdoor celebration of the Battle of the Boyne held in Lanarkshire took place in Moodiesburn on the Twelfth of July 1857. Brother Dr. Clements, Deputy Grand Master, headed the procession of 600 marchers. After the Demonstration, a party of 300 Orangemen returning from the march, were attacked by a larger group of Catholics who were waiting on them coming off the train at Coatbridge. Two Airdrie bands, The Union and the Sax Horn, were the focal point of the attack, and some members were severely injured and had their musical instruments destroyed. As a result of this riot Orange Parades were banned in Lanarkshire for the next ten years.

In July 1874 a parade took place in Airdrie in which 10,000 men are reputed to have taken part. The parade was protected by a force of 70 Cavalry.

The same year the " Walk" was held in Greengairs on Friday the 12th of July. The houses of the Village were all painted for the occasion and an Arch was erected across the main street by L.O.L.275. Other Arches were erected along the parade route. The parade consisted of approximately 1000 marchers from Airdrie, Armadale, Falkirk and Slamannan Districts.