Public vote opens to select a Flag for Caithness

The four shortlisted designs for the competition to design a Caithness flag have been revealed and the public are being encouraged to get involved and vote for their favourite.

The designs, which were recently short-listed by a judging panel, have ideas extracted from more than one entry. All entries who have contributed to the design will be credited after the results have been announced. It should also be noted that designs may be subject to further alterations by the Lord Lyon.

The details of the short-listed designs are:

• Design A -  The nordic cross symbolises the ancient ties of the county to the Vikings. The black recalls the county's geology with the famous Caithness flagstone, whilst the gold and blue refer to the beaches and sea to reinforce the maritime nature of the county and its heritage. In the first quarter is charged a galley, which is the traditional emblem of Caithness, including a raven upon its sail as it appears in the county's civic arms. 

Design A

• Design B - The Pictish style wild cat head recalls the ancient Kingdom of Cat of the area. The triangle issuing from the hoist to represent the geography of the county as a peninsula jutting into the sea, the word ness meaning a promontory. Together the cat and triangle play upon the name of the county as 'Cat-ness'. The black colour recalls the county's geology with the famous Caithness flagstone, whilst the white chevron and blue field depict the sea to reinforce the maritime nature of the county and its heritage.

design B

• Design C - The galley is the traditional emblem of Caithness, including a raven upon its sail as it appears in the county's civic arms. The ship is depicted here in the canton to signify its importance with the remainder of the field depicting the sea to reinforce the maritime nature of the county and its heritage. The black canton refers to the famous Caithness flagstone.

Design C

• Design D - The galley is the traditional emblem of Caithness, including a raven upon its sail as it appears in the county's civic arms. The ship is depicted here on the sea to reinforce the maritime nature of the county and its heritage, whilst the black background denotes the Caithness flagstone.

Design D

Voting can be made by completing an application form or by sending an e-mail. Votes are accepted from anyone over the age of 5 years and from any location. In order to avoid multiple voting people taking part must provide their name and address plus age if under 16.

Votes are to be returned to: David Sutherland, Ward Manager, Highland Council, Girnigoe Street Wick, KW1 4HW or by e-mail to david.sutherland@highland.gov.uk

The deadline for votes by either method is 4pm Friday 31 July 2015