Owners of a new Inverness care home have performed a U-turn over the controversial naming of the building – and will now leave it in the hands of local schoolchildren.
There was anger when it emerged the 90-bed home in Cradlehall, which is currently under construction, was to be named Culloden House – despite it being miles from the historic battlefield.
Local politicians said they were “bewildered” by the name choice, claiming it was highly inappropriate given the historical links with the 1746 Culloden battle.
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And last night owners backtracked over the decision, and revealed they now intend to run a competition with local schools to find a name for the home and and eight residential areas.
Gary Sharp, managing director of Simply UK, said: “We have listened to local views and media reports and feel that we want to engage further with the local community to enable them to choose the name for the new home and units.
“Our primary concern is to develop a quality an exemplary new care home in the area, which provides a safe and secure environment where later life can be lived to the full.
“We are excited about the development plans and look forward to launching the competition.”
He added they hoped to have a new name for the home can be announced in early April.
Councillor Ken Gowans was delighted at the decision, and said: “I am very pleased that common sense has finally prevailed.
“Clearly this was a case of a new company coming in to an area where they don’t often understand local sensitivities over geography.
“I am happy they decided to act so quickly over local concerns and that they are given children the opportunity to come up with a new name.”
He said the original name choice had caused offence as the development was not even remotely close to being in Culloden, and that there was already a Culloden House which is of historic significance and has direct connections with the Battle of Culloden.