Call to remove Jacobite rebellion Cumberland’s name from street in Kirriemuir

A petition of almost 1,000 signatures lodged with Angus Council demanding the change of name for Cumberland Close in Kirriemuir is set go before a full council meeting.

The bid to change the street name has been led by Kirriemuir resident Scott MacFarlane.

It is named after Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, who reportedly stayed there during the 18th century military campaign.

A controversial figure, Cumberland was sent to crush the Jacobite uprising as England’s leading general of the era.

“At present we have a close in Kirriemuir named after a mass murderer which is a scar on the face of our town,” said Mr MacFarlane in a cover letter submitted to the council.

The petition wants to see the street re-named Visocchi’s Close, a tribute to the famous Kirriemuir ice cream shop which backs on to it.

Mr MacFarlane in his cover letter said: “I propose to rename this location Visocchi’s close, in honour of the Visocchi family who served the wee red toon for nearly 80 years.”

The street home to the town’s millennium fountain and the Kirriemuir ‘walk of fame’.

Stone slabs can be found honouring famous figures of the local area including Peter Pan creator J M Barrie, AC/DC rocker Bon Scott and the town’s three Victoria Cross recipients.

However, council officers – in a report put forward to the council – said they had been unable to confirm details alleged in the petition.

The report said: “Officers are unable to verify the accuracy of the information contained in the petition or the veracity of any of the allegations made.”

A counter petition – currently holding 86 signatories – has also been started but has not been submitted to the council.

The petition was due to be considered by Angus scrutiny committee on Thursday.

But chairman Craig Fotheringham moved to delay any discussion and have the bid debated by the full council at a future date.

He said: “I think really this should be in my view deferred to Angus Council for a debate because at the end of the day there is unfortunately no Kirriemuir member here today.”

This move was unanimously agreed by the committee.