THE people of Kennethmont were angry yesterday - after a council blunder led to their village being renamed after a malt whisky.
Aberdeenshire Council planners erected signs with the name Ardmore, a drink made locally, instead of Kennethmont. They have admitted their mistake and will replace the signs.
Kennethmont, near Huntly, is mentioned in official documents dating back to 1285. Residents had been campaigning for speed restriction signs for three years.
David Grant, chairman of the community council, said: ''The fact is Ardmore just doesn't exist. We can't believe the stupidity of the council.''
The village has a rich history and is thought to have links to the burial place of Kenneth, one of the original Scottish kings.
However, it is most famous for the Ardmore distillery, which produces a distinctive single malt. The distillery is located at the entrance to Kennethmont, and some locals refer to that part of the village as the Ardmore end.
Residents have complained that the signs have confused delivery men, who have been unable to find the village.
Mark Skilling, the man in charge of signage at Aberdeenshire Council, said: ''It was all my fault. When we put the new signs up beside the distillery I didn't think that was part of the main village.
''I was pretty sure that area was called Ardmore, but I was wrong. Several locals have been in contact with us to tell us about the mistake.''
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