Closed since 8 January, the Redcoat café in Edinburgh’s Castle announced its reopening last Saturday after a month of refurbishment.
The news sparked debate on the café’s name, even though it has remained the same since the café’s inauguration in 1992.
Redcoats was an informal name given to British infantrymen who wore a distinctive scarlet garment into battles from the 16th to the 19th century.
They are notably associated with the killing of Scots at the Battle of Culloden Moor in 1746, which marked the defeat of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s Jacobite movement.
During the 18th century, they also took part in the Highland Clearances, which forcibly evicted a significant number of tenants in the Scottish Highlands.
Critics took to X after Edinburgh Castle announced the cafe’s reopening.
Users have expressed their dissatisfaction, calling the name “highly offensive”, “disgraceful” and “outrageous.”
One user said the café “deserved to be firebombed,” prompting a police investigation.
Following the reopening was announced, a petition was launched for the café’s name to be reviewed.
The creators of the petition advocate for a new name to be chosen “through a collaborative process involving input from members of the Scottish community, historians, cultural experts, and other stakeholders.”
Douglas Chapman, SNP MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, called for a “rebrand.”
Some unionists mock, questioning why wonder complaints occur now despite the name being the same since the Redcoat’s opening thirty years prior.
A spokeswoman for Historic Environment Scotland (HES) stated the name of the café primarily reflects the military history which is told throughout the Castle, as it was at one point garrisoned by redcoats.
She added the organisation was “aware of the comments” and that “the names of both the Redcoat Café and Jacobite function room will now be reviewed.”
“Edinburgh Castle” by Craigyc is licensed under CC BY 2.0.