Islanders celebrate success after waving the flag for South Uist

Islanders on South Uist are celebrating after the success of a year-long campaign to have the first officially-recognised community flag in the Outer Hebrides.

The design is a blue Nordic cross edged with white on a green background – similar to the Norwegian flag.

It will now be entered into the Court of the Lord Lyon, where all such flags in Scotland – including the Saltire – are officially recorded.

Donnie Steele, of South Uist, championed the efforts and secured the support of the 0 No flagging for South Uist as new symbol will boost identity island’s community councils. Mr Steele said: “I have been working on recognition for a year now and I am delighted to announce that the flag of South Uist has been officially recognised by the Court of The Lord Lyon. We need to look at innovative ideas and ways to enhance the local community, recognition brings global identity to South Uist and economic benefits/opportunities will ensue.

“Official recognition will be an enormous boost and can only enhance South Uist. We must take full advantage of this.”

The flag is already widely used on the island, including at greeting arrivals at Lochboisdale Harbour.

Funding for the project came from community landlord Storas Uibhist, for which South Uist makes up a part of its estate.