A controversial flag for Sutherland has been formally registered by the Court of the Lord Lyon – the official heraldry office for Scotland.
The striking design of the flag – showing a swooping eagle on a yellow and red background with three stars – was severely criticised on social media when it was unveiled.
Many deemed it ugly, with the centrepiece eagle described as looking more like a “budgie”.
The Sutherland Flag Committee, which came out in staunch defence of the design, has now revealed that the Lord Lyon had issued the official warrant for the flag.
A statement issued by the committee said: “It can now be flown by anyone. Any commercial business may manufacture and sell the flag or merchandise with the flag design.
“The first flag is being made by a Scottish flag manufacturer and will be unveiled at a ceremony this summer.”
It added: “It is not unusual for new flags to receive some hostility online when they are revealed.
“The committee regrets that it did not explain better much of the symbology and reasoning behind the flag decision process.”
Explaining the design in more detail, the committee said the red and yellow were the historic colours of Sutherland and have been around from as early as 1150.
The three yellow stars, meanwhile, were on the shields carried by the “Sutherland contingent” in fights against the English at Bannockburn in 1314 and Halidon Hill in 1333.
Many complaints centred on why a bird was chosen eagle rather than a cat, but the committee said the original “Land of the Cat” – from about 800AD – was properly Caithness and not Sutherland.
They said: “The design takes much strength from Sutherland’s past, with its symbols and vibrant colours firmly rooted in the county’s distinguished history. Combined with the eagle, this is a powerful symbol of a dynamic future to which the younger people of Sutherland aspire.”
