A Highland gala is at the centre of a second racism row after a ‘blacked-up’ reveller took part in the fair parade.
The Wick Gala in Caithness was heavily criticised in 2015 after a group of friends dressed as Golliwogs.
This week a festival-goer has also been pictured blacked up, wearing a cut-out Lidl supermarket bag and holding a “Lidl Wayne” sign – an apparent twist on American rapper Lil Wayne.
The stunt has been criticised by a former Wick resident left outraged after seeing the latest pictures online.
The woman, who now lives in Edinburgh and wished to remain anonymous, said: “There’s a gala every year to raise money for the town.
“People dress up and there is a procession of floats and people walking through the town collecting money.
“I’ve already seen photos of two different people who have blacked up, and another two people who have dressed up as if they are from India.
“Aside from the obvious racism and ignorance that has happened here, this isn’t the first time this has happened.
“There have been several years where people have blacked up but it got particularly bad in 2015 when three people dressed up as Gollys.
“There were several people, including myself, who were outraged by this. I’m just shocked and ashamed that this is happening in the town I grew up in.
“I don’t want it to just be accepted and brushed off as a bit of fun, people should know how wrong it is.”
She added: “The guy has tried to dress up as Lil Wayne. I think he’s either wearing facepaint or boot polish to black up his skin and is in a dreadlock wig.
“I think Wick is so lacking in diversity, so there is no one to call them out on it.
“After it happened in 2015 it was said steps would be taken to monitor what people were going to dress up as – but the committee just seems oblivious to it.
“They seem really unwilling to change, they just defend it by saying it’s just a bit of fun, but it’s a horrible tradition.”
Three years ago, police launched a probe into the Gollywog incident after a member of the public reported ‘inappropriate behaviour’.
Committee members said at that time they are not told in advance what participants plan to dress up as.
The Wick Gala Committee was contacted for comment.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Officers were in attendance at Wick Gala Day at the weekend. No incidents were reported on the day and the event was considered a success for the community.
“As ever we would urge anyone with any concerns to report these to us either in person or by calling 101.”
He added: “Thorough inquiries into the incident in 2015 were carried out and appropriate advice was given to all involved.”
