Old Norse signs bid slammed as ‘stupid’
A CALL for road signs in Caithness to include Old Norse translations has been branded “a nonsense”.
Thurso Highland councillor John Rosie hit out at the idea which was mooted by Wick councillor Gail Ross and SNP Landward Caithness candidate Alex MacLeod.
Mr Rosie said the money would be better spent filling in potholes on local roads, while his Landward Caithness colleague, David Flear, claimed the proposal is “stupid”.
However, the SNP pair argue that their plan would highlight the county’s distinctive cultural history and be good for local tourism.
Mrs Ross and Mr MacLeod called for a review into bilingual road signs in the county.
They would like to see major roads, tourist routes and the entrances and exits to villages have signs in English and Old Norse (Norn).
Although an attempt to introduce bilingual Gaelic road signs met with widespread local opposition, Mrs Ross and Mr MacLeod would like Norn to be considered for in Caithness.
“I am a Gaelic speaker. I’m very proud to be a Gaelic speaker, and I’m enthusiastic to keep the language alive.
“But keeping Gaelic alive does not mean forcing it on people who overwhelmingly identify with another of Scotland’s many, many cultures. I want to see the Norse culture in Caithness celebrated and cherished, not repressed,” said Mr MacLeod.
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Category: Culture & Heritage
“Scotland’s many, many cultures” – utter nonsense, multi-culti clowns like that are destroying our country , and they call themselves nationalists.