Rallying cry over fresh Ross-shire county flag plan
A CAMPAIGN to design a new flag for Ross-shire could learn from the mistakes made by a neighbouring county and ensure everybody with an interest has a say.
Brian McAngus, who lives in Tain, has approached both the Queen’s representative, the Lord-Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty Janet Bowen, and the Lord Lyon which regulates Scottish heraldry.
Only six Scottish districts can boast having their own flags – Shetland, Orkney, the Western Isles, Caithness, Sutherland and Kirkcudbrightshire. Berwickshire and East Lothian are currently working on one of their own.
Mr McAngus (48) made a similar pitch a few years ago when he found it tricky to garner county-wide interest but believes the climate has changed. "We need to get the word out to all of Ross-shire," he said, "to unite the clans."
The textiles operative envisages a competition to collate possible designs that would be whittled down to a shortlist.
"Getting the public of Ross-shire on board with the idea is crucial," Mr McAngus said.
He is keen to point out that no council cash is involved in the endeavour, which first needs an expression of support from the public.
"The Sutherland flag is struggling to be accepted at the moment as most folk feel they were not part of the process. The Lord Lyon’s department are keen to meet up with us if we can arrange a user group," he said.
Dingwall and Seaforth Liberal Democrat Angela MacLean said: "Although a flag can be emotive, it can also bring people together to share pride in their heritage. I can understand the desire to look at a new flag for Ross-shire, especially as the council moves towards decentralisation with more decisions being taken at area committee level.
"Many Ross and Cromarty communities are diverse and have become more self-reliant as local authority resources reduce. If this encourages local debate, that’s a good thing. I look forward to seeing design options. It could be exciting and inspire all age groups to collaborate and design a flag that gives a nod to the past but also looks to the future."
Cromarty Firth independent councillor Mike Finlayson said: "I don’t think we would need to look much further than the old Ross and Cromarty Council logo. If I remember correctly, it showed a bird of prey in flight over a representation of mountain peaks."
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh SNP councillor Ian Cockburn was less sure. "I’d suggest that the area is too diverse for one flag. The Wester Ross area is promoting itself though, and trying to build up a Wester Ross brand," he said.
The Ross and Cromarty lion features in the design of Highland Council’s coat of arms which incorporates various symbolic elements of the region’s former district authorities. The former eight district councils and regional council coat of arms were superseded by the new coat of arms.
Critics of the Sutherland "budgie" flag believe the final design choice should have been more transparent,
Mr MacAngus can be contacted at brian.macangus@yahoo.co.uk People can vote on a poll on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Rossshireflag/
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