Banffshire flag raising ceremony in Buckie

A flag celebrating Banffshire is now flying proudly in Buckie just yards away from the town's war memorial.

The newly-created emblem was unveiled at a ceremony yesterday, which saw it hoisted up the flagpole at Struan House.

Amongst those present was Ellie Stewart, the Portessie Primary pupil whose entry beat hundreds of others in the competition to design the flag.

Andy Simpson, the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, complimented the youngster on both the look and the relevance of her finished work.

Speaking to Ellie and her classmates, he said: "It doesn't surprise me that the winner is from Portessie. I remember coming to your school and being impressed with the interest you showed in the history of Banffshire."

Mr Simpson spoke of how the blue in the flag represented the area's rivers such as the Deveron, Spey, Fiddich and Isla.

Meanwhile, the gold stood for the harvest as well as the copper stills in which whisky was created.

Ellie was also on hand when her flag was raised during a similar ceremony in Cullen at the end of last month .

Speaking yesterday, she said: "I was really happy when I found out that I'd won. My friends came round that evening to celebrate at my house."

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