Plans To Rename 350-year-old "Black Bitch Pub" To Be Decided By Scottish Gov't

[G.L.R.]

Row over plans to rename 'racist' 350-year-old Black Bitch pub 'The Willow Tree' set to be decided by Scottish government

29 August 2022

   
• The Black Bitch in Linlithgow, West Lothian is named after a legend about a dog
• Brewers Greene King want to change name over fears it could be seen as racist
• They have turned to the Scottish government after council deferred planning decision
• Historians say the name has been associated with the town for hundreds of years

The renaming of a 350-year-old pub called The Black Bitch will now be decided by the Scottish government after a local council deferred a planning decision and thousands expressed opposition to the change. The pub in Linlithgow, West Lothian is set to be rebranded as The Willow Tree by brewers Greene King over fears that the existing name could be seen to be racist. But more than 500 objections have been submitted and 11,000 have signed a petition to stop the move, with many locals and historians arguing that the 'Black Bitch', which refers to a local legend about a black female greyhound, has been associated with the town for hundreds of years...

But the pub chain said: 'It is not for the council to control the name of the premises'. The statement added that Historic Environment Scotland had been consulted and raised no objection. An earlier council report backing the plans said: 'This is a commercial decision to change the name and there are no material planning reasons to refuse permission for the new signage.' Dozens of objections have been lodged with the council over getting rid of the name The Black Bitch, which refers to a local legend of a black, female greyhound that brought food to its starving owner who was imprisoned on an island on Linlithgow Loch. A statue commemorating the local legend still stands to this day in the centre of the historic Scottish town, while its coat of arms features the black dog chained to an oak tree. The West Lothian History and Amenity Society said: 'The term 'Black Bitch' has been associated with the town for over 700 years, natives of Linlithgow are proud to be known as 'Black Bitches'; it is a term of affection with no negative connotations... Read more ...

Row over plans to rename 'racist' 350-year-old Black Bitch pub to be decided by Scottish government | Daily Mail Online
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11157183/Row-plans-rename-racist-350-year-old-Black-Bitch-pub-decided-Scottish-government.html

[Aleister Adams]

As a Scotsman it pains me to see what Scotland has become.

[Art]

The push against our racial instinct seems similar to the pulling back of a sling shot,
Or a bow and arrow.

When it reaches max pressure the projectile will be released with great force,
Terminating the enemy.

Our patience is growing thin,
And the outrage expands.