A CENTRAL street in one Scottish town should be renamed as it currently honours a general known for his brutal execution of Scots soldiers at Culloden, locals say.
Residents of Kirriemuir, in Angus, are calling for Cumberland Close in the town centre to have its name changed to avoid association with the man known for the brutal pacification of the Scottish Highlands.
Prince William Augustus – known as “the butcher of Cumberland” – is a controversial figure in Scottish history due to his role in the battle of Culloden, where he reportedly ordered that all Jacobite soldiers left alive be executed.
READ MORE: The truth about the Butcher of Cumberland
During the pacification, all men believed to be rebels were killed, including civilians. Many settlements believed to be loyal to the Jacobites were burned and livestock was confiscated on a large scale – decimating many Highland communities.
The brutal campaign earned Augustus the title “Butcher Cumberland”, which led to the name of the Kirriemuir street.
But locals are calling for it to be changed, with an online petition that states: “We find it highly offensive that we celebrate the memory of this man in our proud town and would like the name changed to reflect good and not evil.
Please consider signing this petition.
— KirrieGog (@gordonewan2) April 16, 2023
We should not be commemorating the Duke of Cumberland, someone who was responsible for so much pain and suffering in Scotland. https://t.co/GLqCt4mWk4
“The Duke led his Kingston horse brigade and Kerrs dragoons from Culloden, passing through the glens of Angus, raping and murdering men, women and children with no quarter given.”
After leading the British Red Coat forces to victory, Cumberland was given the freedom of the City of Glasgow and made Chancellor of both Aberdeen and St Andrews Universities.
The British government’s historic treatment of the Highlands is moving into more mainstream public consciousness, resulting in repeated calls to remove the Duke of Sutherland statue on Ben Bhraggie due to his role in the Highland clearances.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel