Moray Flag Letters Patent unveiled at Moray Council HQ

The short ceremony took place on Wednesday 18 February at Moray Council Headquarters in Elgin, attended by invited guests, including Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Air Commodore Alistair Monkman, former Lord Lieutenant of Moray Major General Seymour Monro and Vice Lord Lieutenant Nancy Robson.

The Letters Patent, issued by the Lord Lyon’s Office in Edinburgh, is a crafted vellum document which formally secures the legal status of the Moray Flag. The document is now on permanent display outside the council chambers.

The Moray Flag was unveiled to the public in 2023 following a large-scale design competition launched by the Moray Lieutenancy. More than 600 entries were submitted, with four finalist designs selected for a public vote. The winning design was created by Aila Gibson, then a Primary 7 pupil at Dallas Primary School and reflects Moray’s farmland, barley, rivers, coastline and sunshine.

Cllr John Cowe, Civic Leader of Moray Council, said: “The unveiling of the Letters Patent marks the conclusion of a remarkable journey and secures the Moray Flag’s place in our history. This flag belongs to the people of Moray and it is fitting that the formal record of its status will be hosted here at Council Headquarters.”

Lord Lieutenant of Moray, Air Commodore Alistair Monkman added: “This has been a truly collaborative project involving schools, communities and local organisations, and I am especially keen to acknowledge the work of my predecessor, Major General Seymour Monro, whose drive and determination were instrumental in getting the Moray Flag project off the ground. The Moray Flag is already flying proudly across the region and today’s unveiling formally recognises it as a lasting symbol of Moray’s identity and pride.”