Image: Daniel Forsyth, Grampian Online
New flags for Moray and Banffshire are in prospect after a design competition opened in northeast Scotland on 27 February.
Anyone worldwide with links to the two lieutenancies can enter, closing date Friday 24 March.
In late April an expert panel will shortlist 4-6 entries for each area before a public vote decides the two winners.
Then in late summer the successful designers will each receive an invitation to raise their flag for the first time.
Communities Vexillologist Phillip Tibbetts has visited ten local schools during the competition launch.
‘The kids are very enthusiastic about this,’ said Philip, who is also March Herald and Honorary Vexillologist at the Lyon Court.
‘Around Scotland we have had a number of schoolchildren win these competitions and the fact that we have nine- and eleven-year-olds winning shows they get the importance of flags.’
Philip also believes that Moray and Banffshire will derive great benefit from their flags.
Locally, flags help to connect people to their area and to raise awareness of a community.
And nationally, Scotland is a patchwork of identities and it’s important that each individual patch is represented.
Collect a pack from the following locations: the Northern Scot office, 74-76 South Street, Elgin IV30 1JG; the Moray Council Annexe, Elgin; or the Aberdeenshire Council Town House, Low Street, Banff.
Or download from www.lordlieutenantbanffshire.co.uk/banffshire-flag or www.lordlieutenantmoray.co.uk.
The Northern Scot will collect all submissions – digital and paper.
Deliver or post to the Elgin office (address above), or email to countyflags@hnmedia.co.uk
Read more about the competition here.
