FORMER first minister Alex Salmond has spoken out against the planned renaming of the historic “Black Bitch” pub in his hometown.

Owners of the Linlithgow pub are applying to change the name to The Black Hound, saying language has evolved and the original title now holds “racist and offensive connotations”.

The Greene King chain’s decision has sparked a backlash from some residents of the West Lothian town, with more than 6000 people having signed a petition rejecting the move.

The company’s operations manager Paul Wishart said after research was conducted into the name, it was decided that the pub needed a new title which would be “anti-racist, inclusive and promote diversity”.

The National:

“The Black Bitch” name comes from the local legend of a dog which swam repeatedly to an island with food to help her owner who was stranded there. Many Linlithgow residents say the phrase represents loyalty and those opposed to the change are concerned about losing a piece of folklore.

Wishart insisted that the pub’s coat of arms and image would remain and assured residents that no history would be erased.

"We are aware of pub's history. We're aware of where the name originates,” he said.

"The proposal to change the name to The Black Hound will still reflect that history."

Salmond, who was born in Linlithgow, said Greene King should “call time on their daft plans”.

“Whoever they consulted on this silliness certainly wasn’t local where the name Black Bitch is borne with pride as showing awareness and respect for Lithgae’s rich history,” he continued.

“The legend of the faithful black bitch is woven into the Royal Burgh’s tradition and has no association whatsoever with racism or sexism just Lithgae-ism. To suggest otherwise is deeply insulting.”

The Alba leader said he’d told the company’s managing director that standing against racism doesn’t involve “disrespecting local communities”.

“They should instead redouble their efforts in inclusive employment and supporting anti-racist causes not gratuitously insult an entire town,” he added.

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Amid the row, Greene King’s CEO Nick Mackenzie has defended the chain’s decision.

“This is an important decision to take but we feel strongly that it is the right one,” he said.

“We have spent many months reviewing and discussing this as we understand that changing this name will attract a range of views, but as part of our commitment to being an anti-racist organisation we want our pub names to be welcoming and inclusive and that means taking action when there is a need to make a positive change for the better.”