Pictures: Dramatic images and video captured as monster Saltire flag is unfurled on Dunnet beach

By David G Scott

Published: 16:30, 05 July 2021

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A group of intrepid Scottish independence supporters battled against the wind to unfurl a gigantic 72-foot long Saltire flag at Dunnet beach on Saturday.

Barry Scollay from Wick captured dramatic images of the giant Saltire on Dunnet beach on Saturday afternoon.

Around 50 people from the Yes Caithness (YC) group met up at the beach car park just before noon and carried the monster-sized flag down to the beach as part of its national tour of Scotland's scenic sights – the event being captured in dramatic overhead still images and video footage by Wick man Barry Scollay operating a drone.

Some of the Yes Caithness team pictured after the event at the Dunnet beach car park on Saturday afternoon. Picture: DGS

After the event, Ian Sinclair from the YC campaign group said: "Yes Caithness was set up a couple of years ago to support independence. We welcome people from all political parties or no political party.

"This giant flag called Caley is being displayed in scenic areas and ancient monuments all over Scotland. We thought Dunnet beach would be the perfect place for it. It's a nice clean beach and we got a good crowd coming out."

Ian said it was like a "real holiday atmosphere" for the event with the sun shining overhead and many tourists on the sands.

Another YC member, David Mackinnon, said: "We've had people from all over the UK involved in this. The flag was picked up from Inverness and we'll return it there."

Caley started its journey at Nairn beach after lockdown restrictions eased earlier this year and went on to places such as Skye, Kirkcaldy and Oban where it was draped over the famous landmark McCaig's Tower.

David Holmes, left, and Ian Sinclair from the Yes Caithness group at Dunnet beach on Saturday afternoon. Picture: DGS

David Holmes, another group member, said: "It was a bit windy but we had plenty of volunteers here to assist us. We're all really pleased it went well."

The group members were particularly keen to have the flag pictured close to Dunnet Head, the most northerly point of the Scottish mainland.

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And, not passing up the opportunity, the team did a bit of beach cleaning before returning to their cars and removed items of plastic pollution.

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