Edinburgh Castle could be forced to change its name after nationalists claimed it was “deeply offensive” to Scottish people.
The Redcoat Café, which was first opened 30 years ago, is facing a series of complaints that its name is celebrating the “suffering and hardship” inflicted upon Scots.
It gets its name from British infantrymen who wore the bright uniforms into battle against the Scottish army in the 1700s, amid struggles for sovereignty.
The red uniform is most closely linked to the Battle of Culloden in 1746, which led to the downfall of the Jacobite forces, who were fighting for Scottish independence.
Edinburgh Castle is considering changing its name in a woke rebrand after Scottish nationalists slammed a cafe on the historical site
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The popular café recently caused a stir online when it shared photos of the newly refurbished interior.
Last week, Edinburgh Castle’s official account wrote on social media: “We are happy to welcome you all back to our newly refurbished Redcoat Cafe.
“If you are visiting us over the weekend, pop in for a warm beverage or even a tasty slice of cake.”
Outraged nationalists slammed the outlet’s name, calling it a “huge misjudgement”.
Douglas Chapman, an SNP MP responded: “I don’t think many will be ‘popping in’ for anything. How about a swift rebrand? Redcoat, really?”
Tricia Marwick, an SNP politician who acted as presiding officer at the Scottish parliament from 2011 to 2016, chimed in: “Tell me this isn’t for real.”
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The cafe, alongside its function room, first opened in 1992
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Kevin Stewart, an Aberdeen MSP and former transport minister, added: “This can’t be for real, surely? If so, this is a huge misjudgement.”
An online petition, which branded the name as “deeply offensive”, was quickly circulated, stating that the name celebrates an “occupying force”. It has been signed by over 1,000 people.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES), which runs the castle, said it will review the name of the café, as well as its neighbouring function room called the Jacobite.
HES said: “We are aware of the comments on social media on both sides of the debate about the name of the café at Edinburgh Castle. The name has been in place since 1992 and reflects the military history which is told throughout the castle, however the way we interpret history is constantly evolving.
The red uniform is most closely linked to the British soldiers in the Battle of Culloden in 1746, where Scottish Jacobite forces were ultimately defeated
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Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said it will review the name of the café, as well as its neighbouring function room called the Jacobite
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“As part of our future plans for Edinburgh Castle, the names of both the Redcoat Café and Jacobite function room will now be reviewed.”
Not all were on board with the criticism and are fighting back against a rebrand.
Scottish Tory MSP Murdo Fraser blasted nationalist politicians for sparking the row.
He said: “It’s disgraceful that HES are giving in to historically ignorant online bullies.”
Former UK Government minister and current Labour candidate Douglas Alexander said: “In a Scotland where 250,000 kids are growing up in poverty and 860,000 people are on NHS waiting lists we deserve better than manufactured nationalist nonsense about cafe names.
“Seventeen years in power and this is all they’ve got to say. It’s just embarrassing. It’s time for change.”
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