Linlithgow pub name changed by Greene King over 'racist connotations' sparks local row

The pub is having its name changed by owners Greene King.
The pub is having its name changed by owners Greene King.
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Max Parry

By Max Parry


Published: 23/12/2021

- 13:29

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 11:17

The pub's name is being changed to The Black Hound

The Black Bitch pub in Linlithgow is being rebranded to The Black Hound by its owner Greene King, sparking a campaign to save the pub's original name.

“There will be people who are offended and they have a right to their opinion,” said Alistair Old who is leading the campaign.


“But the people of Linlithgow wouldn’t have tolerated it if the name had racist connotations,” Old went on.

It is said the pub takes its name from the story of a black female hound that would swim across the loch in Linlithgow carrying food to her master, who sentenced her to death.

Greene King, which has already changed the name of pubs called The Black Boy and The Black's Head, argues the decision has been taken after a dialogue with the pub's landlord Nick Mackenzie.

However, local residents are furious and almost 10,000 people have signed a petition.

Local SNP politicians are to meet Greene King representatives to manage the ongoing dispute.

“This is something that we feel strongly is the right thing to do,” said the pub's landlord, Mackenzie.

“We appreciate and respect the importance of Linlithgow’s history, which is why the new name continues to recognise this, but at the same time we cannot just brush aside the fact that we have spoken to people from a range of backgrounds who find it offensive and upsetting to see the name displayed on the pub as it is currently.”

Nidhin Chand who has lived in Linlithgow for six years said: “I thought ‘what?!’ when I first saw the name, but then I heard the story, that it is all about loyalty and bravery. It’s nothing to do with racism.

“If people want to address that they need to tackle real racism, not a female dog.”

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