400 years of history cancelled as pub name is changed
IT was named after a faithful greyhound in a 17th century legend.
But now angry locals have hit out after the name of their historic pub was changed amid claims it was racially offensive.
The Black Bitch has been a feature in Linlithgow since the 1600s but is to be rebranded The Willow Tree by owner Greene King.
The brewery first announced plans to change the pub’s name last year despite an outcry from locals in the West Lothian town.
They threatened to boycott the bar if the name was changed, insisting it is part of local history. The pub was originally named after a black female greyhound, which features on the heraldic crest of the former royal burgh. Legend has it that the dog swam with food to an island in Linlithgow Loch to keep her owner alive. He had been chained to a tree as punishment and left to starve.
However, in a letter issued yesterday, Greene King said it had decided to change the pub’s name to The Willow Tree. The brewer had previously suggested calling it The Black Hound but decided against the name due to the poor reception it received.
Greene King chief executive Nick Mackenzie confirmed the name change to The Willow Tree and said the decision was not meant to ‘diminish or denigrate the heritage’ of the town.
Mr Mackenzie said: ‘There’s been plenty of publicity around those who don’t agree with our decision, but we’ve also had letters of support from people in Linlithgow. This is a difficult balance, and throughout this we have continued to highlight our respect for the history of Linlithgow.
‘Our decision is not meant to diminish or denigrate the heritage of the town but at the same time we recognise that language has changed and the name can be extremely offensive to people.’
He added: ‘Our commitment to changing the name is unwavering... but we do understand why our original idea to just change the one word on the sign from Bitch to Hound was not well received by all. We’re pleased therefore to be instead changing it to The Willow Tree.’
Linlithgow locals proudly call themselves Black Bitches, and an online petition against the renaming of the pub attracted more than 11,000 signatures. An Early Day Motion in the House of Commons against the move was even tabled by Linlithgow MP Martyn Day.
Alistair Old, who led the campaign to keep the pub’s name and arranged several protests opposing the move, said: ‘The Black Bitch and the story have been used for hundreds of years and encouraged the tourist industry in Linlithgow. It has been held in affection by many and there have never been any issues with it being called offensive or racist.’
Greene King itself has faced criticism, given that its founder, Benjamin Greene, born in 1780, was a pro-slavery plantation owner. He is said to have made a fortune from the Government when he had to give up his slaves.
‘Held in affection by many’