Hounded out... the ancient pub name deemed too offensive

Locals furious as owners ‘undermine’ heritage in attempt to be ‘anti-racist’

IT has been a popular watering hole since the 17th Century.

But now a historic pub called the Black Bitch Tavern is the latest victim of ‘cancel culture’ after pub bosses decided to rename it.

The pub, in Linlithgow, West Lothian, was named after a local legend about a man who was sentenced to die of starvation on a loch island but kept alive by his faithful hound, who brought him food every day.

Despite its name carrying no racial connotations, the pub will be renamed the Black Hound by owners Greene King as part of a ‘commitment to being an antiracist organisation’.

The decision has been met with a furious backlash by Linlithgow residents, who are proudly known as Black Bitches and whose town emblem carries an image of a black dog against an oak tree.

Many have threatened to boycott the establishment, a fixture in the town since the 1600s, and a petition against the change has so far amassed more than 600 signatures. Local SNP councillor David Tait said: ‘It is a ludicrous proposal made in a faraway place by people with no knowledge of the locality and no respect for the people whose heritage they propose to undermine.

‘When first floated some time ago it was thought to be a joke. Choosing the name the Black Hound reinforces that impression.’

Local Nationalist MP Martyn Day said: ‘Without context, the term “Black Bitch” could easily be misunderstood as racist or misogynistic. However, that is simply not the case with the name of this pub. It represents several hundred years of historical context and folklore, and it would be a mistake for Greene King to proceed

‘Linlithgow people are and will always be affectionately known as Black Bitches.

‘The imagery is a key part of local identity, the pub is a valued institution and one of the friendliest places to visit.’

Davie Paterson, 52, has been a regular for 34 years and is a quiz master at the pub. He branded the change ‘completely stupid’. He added: ‘It’s daft, you just need to check the history of the town to see it is not offensive.

‘We have a Black Bitch whisky, the Black Bitch magazine, a statue of a black bitch in the town centre. You can’t just change history. It is a black, female dog, it’s got nothing to do with race or slavery.’

Greene King said its research showed ‘many people’ would no longer feel welcome visiting a pub with the name, even if they understood the historic significance.

Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie said: ‘This is an important decision to take but we feel strongly that it is the right one. We are well aware of where the name originates and so we are choosing a new name that still reflects the pub’s history and will look to retain the coat of arms and images on the pub’s sign.

‘We have spent many months reviewing and discussing this as we understand that changing this name will attract a range of views, but as part of our commitment to being an anti-racist organisation we want our pub names to be welcoming and inclusive and that means taking action when there is a need to make positive change.’

The West Lothian Race Forum, which provided feedback to Greene King, welcomed the decision. Its chairman Abel Aboh said: ‘The name is not inclusive, it’s not diverse and for me personally, I will never forget the way I felt the first time I saw that pub.

‘I can’t see why the name of the pub has to be like that in the 21st century in West Lothian, it is out of place. We know the history, but we believe the owners need to reflect on the fact they are delivering a public service and nobody in our community or any visitors should feel alienated or uncomfortable.

‘The name is absolutely offensive and to anyone who says it is not, I would suggest they use those words to someone in the street and see their reaction.’

Labour councillor Tom Conn said: ‘It has been part of the folklore of the town for generations and forms part of the Royal Burgh seal. [The decision] is crass and I hope Greene King will rethink.’

A West Lothian Council spokesman said: ‘It is unlikely that advertisement or listed building consents would be required to change the name of a private venue. The council does not have a remit in determining the suitability of name changes.’

‘You can’t just change history’

‘The name is not inclusive’