Ex-spelled! Businessman forced to remove 'historically inaccurate' witch mural from side of village pub
- Alan Adey, 61, commissioned street artist Rogue One to create the work in Pittenweem, Fife
- Village has historic links to witch trials, with one woman killed and several imprisoned in the 18th century
- Mural sparked complaints it is an 'offensive caricature' of innocent women who fell victim to witchcraft laws, prompting council planners to order its removal
It was supposed to playfully celebrate the seaside village’s links to witchcraft.
But the owner of a ‘gaudy’ witch mural that sparked controversy after it was painted on the side of his pub has lost a fight to keep it.
Alan Adey, 61, commissioned street artist Rogue One to create the work in Pittenweem, Fife, and mark the area’s links to witchcraft.
Adey was refused retrospective permission last year for the huge image at the Larachmhor Tavern.
Fife Council said it was ‘based on historically inaccurate false narratives perpetuated by popular media’ and ordered it to be removed.
The mural on the side of Pittenweem's Larachmhor Tavern must now be removed after Scottish Government planning officials rejected its owner's appeal to keep it
Adey issued a plea for it to remain and lodged an appeal with the Scottish Government.
But he has now been told the mural must be removed due its ‘adverse effect’ on the area.
A letter on Adey’s behalf said: ‘Although no planning permission was granted, the mural was paid for by the pub owner and constructed by a famous street artist.
‘The permission was a genuine oversight and, on the strength of what the mural brings to Pittenweem, overlays the oversight.
‘The mural is a stand-out reminder to Pittenweem’s history of the witch trials that troubled this area. It is a stand alone tourist attraction.’
Objectors had labelled the painting ‘offensive and demanded it be removed.
One said: ‘It is large and garish and a hideous piece of work.
‘It is not in keeping with a conservation area. It is on a listed building. It is an offensive caricature of a ‘Halloween’ witch. Many innocent women were tortured and killed under witchcraft laws in Pittenweem.
‘The Witches of Scotland campaign has just succeeded in obtaining a pardon and an apology for women killed under witchcraft laws. A campaign is ongoing for an appropriate memorial or monument to be erected for these women.
‘The picture is out of keeping with the current social mood. It is a shameful part of Pittenweem’s history and should not be referred to by
such a painting.’
Pittenweem’s historical links to witches saw one woman killed and several others imprisoned after being accused of witchcraft in 1705.
Popular witch tours ran in the village for several years.
Artist Bobby McNamara, aka Rogue One, had said he enjoyed painting the mural because it was so different from his normal projects.
He said: ‘The owner of the property wanted the witch mural as Pittenweem has a witch history, but a few locals did moan a bit about it being mean and ugly and they’d rather not expose their village’s witch history so much.
‘I get that. It’s understandable. But the owners wanted it, and I enjoyed doing something edgy and scary.’
Reporter Lorna McCallum said: ‘Taking account of the location, scale, colours and design of the mural I consider that it does not preserve the building and its features of special architectural or historic interest.
‘For the same reasons I also consider that the mural has a localised but, nevertheless, adverse impact on and fails to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area.
‘Therefore, I conclude that listed building consent should not be granted in retrospect for this breach of planning control.’
