Edinburgh Castle to review Redcoat cafe name over 'offence to Scots'

Edinburgh Castle is to review the name of its newly refurbished cafe after claims it is “offensive to Scots”.

Historic Environment Scotland responded to complaints about the Redcoat Cafe’s name despite it having been called that for more than 30 years.

The backlash came after Edinburgh Castle announced the reopening of the newly refurbished coffee shop on Saturday.

Edinburgh SNP councillor Lesley Macinnes responded to the announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter, writing: “What an appalling tone deaf choice of name. Who on earth decided on it?”

We are happy to welcome you all back to our newly refurbished Redcoat Café ☕🍰

If you are visiting us over the weekend, pop in for a warm beverage or even a tasty slice of cake 😋 pic.twitter.com/pghMhpiiSV
— Edinburgh Castle (@edinburghcastle) February 10, 2024

One X follower, responded to the announcement saying: “Redcoat Cafe, do you realise how offensive that is to name anything in Scotland with that word far less to name a cafe in Edinburgh Castle, pains me to say it but it’s one castle I won’t be visiting anymore.”

The backlash escalated quickly with an online petition gaining over 600 signatures since it was launched on Sunday.

Following the response, a spokesperson for Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has confirmed that the names of the Redcoat Cafe and the Jacobite function room are under review.

“We are aware of the comments on social media on both sides of the debate about the name of the cafe at Edinburgh Castle,” they said.

“The name has been in place since 1992 and reflects the military history which is told throughout the Castle, however the way we interpret history is constantly evolving.

“As part of our future plans for Edinburgh Castle, the names of both the Redcoat Café and Jacobite function room will now be reviewed.”

The Royal Regiment of Scotland band at Edinburgh Castle. Supplied

The Royal Regiment of Scotland headquarters is based at Edinburgh Castle. Members of the regiment’s band before at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Castle wearing red coats.

The name is associated with the Redcoats – an informal name for the British army that wore the distinctive colour into battles.

The uniform was used by British soldiers from the 16th to 19th century in several conquests on behalf of the the British military around the world.

The army has been associated with the killing of Scots at the Battle of Culloden Moor in 1746, marking the defeat of the Jacobite movement.