DUP leader's calls for Northern Ireland-Scotland bridge dismissed by Scots political parties after Orange Walk event

She admitted the bridge she envisioned had not been costed, but insisted she was “serious about it”. The DUP leader added that she was “not like Trump” and didn’t expect others to pay for it.

However, in response, the SNP and Scottish Labour urged Foster to focus on rebuilding the power sharing agreement in Northern Ireland, which collapsed last year.

An SNP spokeswoman said: “With the Northern Ireland Assembly suspended, Arlene Foster’s priority should be getting Stormont back up and running.”

A Scottish Labour spokesman added: “Given the shambles her Tory allies are making of Brexit, not to mention the lack of leadership at Stormont, Arlene Foster would do better to focus on more pressing issues.”

During her speech, Foster said she hoped to be able to drive to Scotland in future, and asked the Orange Order to get behind a campaign for a road link.

“Amongst all the nasty and abusive comments made about the Orange wouldn’t it be great to become an actual bridge builder between Northern Ireland and Scotland?” she said.

When asked how the bridge would be paid for, Foster told the Sunday Herald: “Well, I’m not like Trump. I’m not saying we’ll build a bridge and you’ll pay for it. I think we’ll find ways to do it.”

A spokesman for the DUP later told this newspaper that they would expect ‘a contribution’ from the UK Government.

Standing in the local high school grounds, Foster went on to give the crowd a history lesson on William of Orange, insisting there is a “lack of appreciation” about his life.

She added: “We need to be like William and build alliances for the good of all the country. This country needs to be a shared place where people are able to live free from intolerance and hatred. Such bigotry was not part of King William’s mind-set and it should not be part of ours.”

However, politicians in Scotland took aim at the record of the DUP – which opposes same-sex marriage – on equality issues.

Scottish Greens MSP Mark Ruskell, who represents the Mid Scotland and Fife region at the Scottish Parliament, said: “It’s a shame Ms Foster didn’t choose to visit at the beginning of July when she could have enjoyed a far more colourful procession at Fife Pride.”

CLOSED DOORS AND GRAFFITI WARS: HOW COWDENBEATH LOCALS RESPONDED TO THE ORANGE ORDER AND ARLENE FOSTER

THERE were as many people leaving Cowdenbeath yesterday as were arriving for the Orange Walk.

As coach loads of people rolled in, cars full of families drove in the opposite direction before the main road out of the town was closed by police.

One father of two, who asked not to be named, said: “I’m taking the kids away for the day. I don’t want them to see this.”

A homeowner who lives near the school also said he would be leaving town for the day but he asked not to be named. “I won’t be back until tonight,” he said.

Outside his house was freshly daubed graffiti which read: “F**k the DUP”, “Orange b******s”, and “IRA”.

Many people who had arrived in Cowdenbeath took pictures of the graffiti and shook their heads.

One said: “The police should do something about this. Someone must have seen something.”

Another added: “I see the Taigs have been busy.” Taigs is a derogatory term for a Catholic or Irish nationalist.

When the Sunday Herald told Arlene Foster about the graffiti, she said: ‘That is very sad. People should be allowed to celebrate their culture and heritage ... there is nothing here that should offend anybody.’

Ahead of the event, business owners spoke of their concerns that it could affect trade.

The town’s optometrist cancelled a clinic when every appointment was rescheduled by customers.

Natalie McHale, who is the manager of Ferrier and Mackinnon Optometrists, said: “The minute it starts the shutters are going down.”

Another business owner, who asked not to be named, said she would also shut up shop.

“I think it’s scandalous,” she said. “My view has nothing to do with religion - I’m a Protestant and I married a Catholic - this is about businesses struggling to survive. This event is another nail in the coffin for this high street.

“I can’t even give you my name because I can’t afford to lose any more customers.”

Another local business owner, who also asked not to be named because he is afraid he’ll lose customers, said: “It’s a nightmare. I’m trying to arrange delivery of stock but the drivers are refusing to come near Cowdenbeath because all the roads are closed.”

However, Ruby Ramsay, who runs Bits and Bobs, was more pragmatic. She said: “We need a turn in Cowdenbeath and I’m hoping this event will give us that. It’s not the right kind of business but we’ll take it.”

Newly elected chairwoman of local charity Fife Migrants Forum, Violeta Ilendo, said she had “deep concerns” about the Orange walk visit: “Migrant communities in Fife feel disappointed that the permission was granted for the march. It is adding pressure to the public spend. Public money would be better spent on community integration and cohesion.”

More than 100 police officers were reported to have been drafted in to oversee the Orange Walk.

A spokeswoman for Fife Council defended the decision to allow the Orange Order to use school property as part of its events, saying: “The council has no right to say who is or isn’t allowed to hold an event.”