New Caithness flag to be unfurled next month
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE unveiling of the new county flag of Caithness will take place next month.
The ceremony was supposed to be held last month at Caithness House in Wick but Highland Council was not able to arrange a date when the Lord Lyon, the chief heraldic authority in Scotland, would be able to attend.
Wick councillor Neil MacDonald revealed the unveiling will now take place on Tuesday, January 26 – six months after a public vote on the design closed.
Mr MacDonald said: “I have been informed by Highland Council that the official ceremony for the Caithness flag will now take place during late January.
“It will be unveiled during a meeting but it is not known what form the meeting will take. However, it will be something to look forward to.”
The only two people who know the winning design of the new Caithness flag are the Lord Lyon, Dr Joseph Morrow, and Caithness ward manager David Sutherland.
Mr Sutherland said the date was arranged to ensure Dr Morrow was able to attend.
“This is the first suitable date for the Lord Lyon and will brighten up what is usually a dull time of the year,” he said.
“The flag has been registered and one is being made at present.”
North of Scotland Newspapers began a campaign for Caithness to become the first mainland county in Scotland to have its own flag in May 2014 after Wick student Alan MacDonald came up with the idea. It gained support from almost every organisation in Caithness, as well as widespread public backing.
Highland Council launched a public competition for designs and received 326 entries from across the world, including Australia, Brazil and the United States.
The competition was also embraced by primary and high school pupils in Caithness, with students from North Highland College also taking part.
In June, judges met at Wick Town Hall to whittle down the 326 entries to produce four final designs which have gone to the public vote.
The judging panel included Flag Institute vexillologist Philip Tibbetts, North of Scotland Newspapers editor Iain Grant and Highland councillors Gillian Coghill, Gail Ross and Roger Saxon as well as Dr Morrow and Mr Sutherland.
A total of 726 votes were received to decide which of the designs would become the new official county standard.
A total of 40 counties in England and Wales have their own flags, with 23 having obtained them within the last decade.
Orkney and Shetland are the only two areas in Scotland which have a county flag.
