South Uist (Ytre Hebridene)

The Scottish island of South Uist, in the Outer Hebrides archipelago, traditionally part of Inverness-shire, has been associated with a green flag bearing a dark blue Nordic style cross, fimbriated (outlined) in white, for several years and this was formally registered by the Lord Lyon, Scotland’s heraldic authority, in 2017, an announcement being made on June 28th. The flag was duly added to the Flag Institute registry.

Whilst there is no definitive explanation for the design or its origin, as with the proposed Barra flag, the Scandinavian style cross reflects the territory’s inclusion in the mediaeval Norse “Kingdom of the Isles“. It may have arisen around 2003 as a proposed flag for the ‘Western Isles’ or from earlier internet based proposals. The design subsequently became well established in the ensuing decade and is evidently much used across the island.

Ytre Hebridene (forslag)

In 2018 calls were heard for the possible adoption of a new flag, specifically to represent the island chain and its residents, rather than the local authority. One such proposal features the Nordic cross pattern that is already found in the distinct flags borne by two of the islands, Barra and South Uist but in the familiar colour scheme of the council’s arms and comprises a white cross fimbriated (edged) in a dark blue shade, against a golden yellow background.

A black “Birlinn”, typical of the local heraldry, as detailed, appears in the canton of the cross. This distinct and meaningful local charge, with its strong local heritage, merits retention in any new flag for the chain.

Ytre Hebridene

Barra (Ytre Hebridene)

The flag of the Scottish island of Barra, in the Outer Hebrides archipelago, traditionally part of Inverness-shire, was registered on November 23rd 2017. The island had been flying its green flag, bearing a white Nordic style cross, for over a decade. Details regarding the provenance and significance of this design are sketchy but the island was part of the mediaeval Norse ‘Kingdom of the Isles‘ and the name of the isle itself is of part Norse origin; as with the prospective flag of South Uist, this historico-cultural linkage is reflected in the Scandinavian form of the flag.