'Embarrassing': Edinburgh cabbie's disbelief at spotting six misspelled signs for 'Craigmiller'

Black cab driver couldn’t believe his eyes after spotting way marker errors

A black cab driver has spoken of his disbelief after discovering six erroneous way markers pointing walkers in the direction of “Craigmiller” Castle.

Oddly reflecting the historic landmark’s age, which was built centuries before standardised spellings were introduced, half a dozen signs have appeared around Craigmillar Castle all carrying the incorrect spelling, “Craigmiller”.

Keen-eyed cabbie Don Pujdak, who is originally from Poland but now holds dual-nationality, was incredulous as he encountered one error-laden sign after another during a walk through Little France Park and The Wisp last weekend.

Black cab driver Don Pujdak spotted the signs during a walk last weekend.

Edinburgh resident Mr Pujdak, 36, who also owns a barber shop in the Southside, branded the mistakes “embarrassing” and said he couldn’t understand how so many signs could be erected without someone spotting the gaffe.

He said: “When I saw the signs at Craigmillar, which is a very important historic site for not just Edinburgh, but Scotland, I was very surprised, but more surprised that nobody noticed that.”

Keen to seek further clarification on the error, Mr Pujdak posted the photos to a private group for fellow cab drivers, who reassured him that there is only one spelling for Craigmillar.

He added: “I posted it in the closed group first of all just to see if maybe I was wrong, or if it was an old spelling or something like that.

“That comes from my university times. I believe the information must be checked in at least two or three places, just to make sure the information is verified.

“I think something must be done. It is really embarrassing, just completely wrong. I do not understand how that could happen in the first place.

“It’s one thing if I make a spelling mistake, but a different story altogether if the authorities make a spelling mistake.”

Ross Woodside, Project Programme Manager at the Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust (ELGT), whose team was involved in putting up the signs as part of a wider project around the Craigmillar Park area in partnership with the city council, said the spelling errors had gone unnoticed at the proofing stage.

Speaking to the Evening News, Mr Woodside said the gaffes had been brought to ELGT’s attention last year, but a plan to replace the signs had been halted due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, he said: “As part of the new Active Travel Route at Little France Park which the Edinburgh and Lothians Greenspace Trust delivered in partnership with the City of Edinburgh Council a number of signs were installed with the incorrect spelling of Craigmillar.

“As soon as this was noticed some new signs were ordered with the correct spelling which are due to replaced next week, now that the Covid-19 restrictions have been relaxed.”

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