Consultation on bid to change Kirrie street name

This comes as councillors debated calls for the street name to be changed in December after locals lodged a petition. After a heated debate, councillors agreed that a consultation should take place so the people of the town could have their say on the matter.

The street, Cumberland Close, is said to be named after Augustus, Duke of Cumberland. The duke – branded the ‘butcher’ of the 1745 rising – was sent to crush the Jacobite uprising as England’s leading general of the era. He reportedly stayed there during the military campaign.

A petition lodged with the council racked up almost 1000 signatures demanding the change of name. The bid, led by local resident Scott MacFarlane, wants to see the street renamed Visocchi’s Close, a tribute to the famous ice cream shop which backs on to it.

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

There are a number of ways for Kirriemuir residents to have their say on the proposed change, including:-

Take part in the Cumberland Close, Kirriemuir Survey on Engage Angus, where details of the petition, the proposal and reasons for the potential renaming of the street can also be found.

Email comments to [email protected]

Complete a paper copy of the survey, available at Kirriemuir Library.

Write to Angus Council’s Roads and Transportation team.

A council statement said: “The council received a petition to rename the street and, following discussion at a meeting of full council, it was agreed in principle that a change of name could be considered. It is recognised there is a great strength of feeling about this issue in Kirriemuir and the council wants to consult the town’s residents so they can decide if a change should be made.”

The consultation will run until Sunday, April 21.