Mural witch hunt brings toil and trouble

A PUB owner has been ordered by planners to remove a giant mural of a hooknosed witch with warts from the side of the building because it is based on “historically inaccurate false narratives”.

Bobby McNamara, the street artist known as Rogue One, was commisioned to paint the mural at the 19thcentury Larachmhor Tavern in the Scottish village of Pittenweem in Fife.

At least 26 people were tortured and 18 killed in the village during the 18th century after they were accused of being in league with the devil. However, planners said it was not a realistic depiction of women who were tried and executed for witchcraft.

The planners said it was “not only inaccurate but also gaudy in its use of colour and stylisation”. The planning committee rejected an application for retrospective permission and said the mural had to be removed.

Tours have been run in recent years for tourists attracted to the village’s historical association with witches.