Welcome back to This Day in Scottish History! I'm your host, Colin MacDonald. Today, we’re exploring a fiery and contentious moment from Scotland’s post-war past. On November 29, 1952, a humble post box in Edinburgh’s Inch district became the epicenter of a constitutional debate, an act of vandalism, and ultimately, an enduring legacy of Scotland’s distinct identity within the United Kingdom.

This is the story of the “Pillar Box War.”

Picture the Britain of the early 1950s: King George VI had passed away, and his daughter Elizabeth had ascended the throne in February 1952. Preparations for her coronation were underway, and across the nation, new Royal Mail pillar boxes were being installed. These boxes bore the insignia "E II R," standing for Elizabeth II Regina—Latin for "Elizabeth the Second, Queen."

But there was a problem north of the border. Unlike in England, Elizabeth I had never ruled Scotland. At the time of her reign in the 16th century, Scotland was an entirely separate kingdom. Scots contended that it was inaccurate—if not offensive—to refer to Elizabeth as the “Second” monarch when no "Elizabeth the First" had ever sat on Scotland's throne.

What followed was a clash of symbolism, identity, and politics that would lead to an unlikely showdown over a post box in Edinburgh.

The controversy erupted on this day in 1952, when an official ceremony was held in the Inch district of Edinburgh to unveil a new pillar box bearing the contested “E II R” insignia. Within 48 hours, the box became a target. First, it was smeared with tar and paint. Then, things escalated dramatically—a parcel containing explosives was discovered inside, and by February 1953, the box was obliterated by a gelignite bomb.

The blast was heard a mile away, leaving no injuries but sending a clear message. Locals were reportedly too afraid to use the box for fear their letters might be destroyed in further attacks. Eventually, the damaged box was replaced with one bearing no royal cipher, and similar compromises were made across Scotland.

The row over Elizabeth’s title wasn’t limited to acts of vandalism. Campaigners, including noted nationalist John MacCormick, took their grievances to court. MacCormick argued that proclaiming Elizabeth as “the Second” was a breach of the 1707 Act of Union, which united the crowns of Scotland and England.

The legal challenge, however, failed. Scotland’s Court of Session ruled that the Act of Union did not dictate the monarch’s titles, leaving the matter to royal prerogative.

In the face of ongoing unrest, the British government sought a compromise. From 1953 onwards, all new post boxes in Scotland featured the Crown of Scotland rather than the royal cipher. Mail vans and other official paraphernalia followed suit, a subtle but significant acknowledgment of Scotland's distinct national identity.

The Pillar Box War became a symbol of broader tensions around Scotland's role within the United Kingdom. The decision to omit the "E II R" insignia from Scottish post boxes marked a rare concession to nationalist sentiment and is a reminder of the delicate balance between union and autonomy.

Interestingly, the controversy resurfaced as recently as 2018, when a pillar box mistakenly bearing the “E II R” cipher was installed in Dunoon. It was swiftly replaced, showing that this historical sensitivity remains alive even today.

The events of November 29, 1952, may seem like a minor footnote in history, but they symbolize a deeper narrative of identity, tradition, and the complexities of monarchy in a union of nations. The Pillar Box War reminds us that even the smallest symbols—like a post box—can carry immense political weight.

Thank you for joining us on This Day in Scottish History. Until next time, I’m Colin MacDonald. Haste ye back!

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