Moray's new flag is launched as Dallas Primary School pupil Aila Gibson hoists her design into the air at Elgin Town Hall
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SATURDAY'S windy weather created perfect conditions for the unveiling of Moray's new flag.
Enthusiastic crowds of schoolchildren and members of the public assembled at Elgin Town Hall to mark the event on Saturday, October 28, with four other events taking place in Lossiemouth, Fochabers, Forres, and Rothes.
The flag-raising ceremony was the culmination of a lengthy process that began in February when a competition was launched by Moray's Lieutenancy to design a new flag for the area, as well as a flag for Banffshire.
Thousands of entries were reviewed by two panels of local stakeholders, ultimately narrowing down the choices to four finalists in each lieutenancy area.
Members of the public in Moray and Banffshire voted for their favourite flag designs, resulting in the selection of the new Moray flag.
The winner of Moray's flag competition was Aila Gibson, a Primary 7 pupil from Dallas Primary School.
On her winning design Aila (11) said: "I didn't expect I would win at all. It was really surprising, quite overwhelming to start with, but pretty cool and quite exciting."
Aila's mother, Fiona, added: "It was just another lesson they were doing at school. We didn't know she was in the final, we were probably as surprised as Aila when she found out.
"We didn't know much about it. When we found out, I said, 'Are you sure it's our Aila?' There's another Aila in the school. Then we were very proud of what she'd achieved and very excited for her."
The unveiling ceremony was attended by special guest, Philip Tibbets, a vexillologist who has played a key role in the creation of the Moray and Banffshire flags.
Philip said: "This experience has given me a new understanding of what's unique about Moray and Banffshire. They are two fantastic counties and quite distinct, with such unique and interesting charms to them.
"It is a real testament that both of the competitions were won by primary students, it is great to see the next generation enjoying and finding relevance and enjoyment in heraldry and to see them providing something that will be a community asset forever.
"Aila has created proper heraldry, a fresh new idea, and that just fills my heart with so much joy."
The flag design process was a collaborative effort, with the lieutenancies of Moray and Banffshire working on the project, with assistance from Highland News and Media, the parent company of The Forres Gazette and sister papers.
The final designs were then sent to the Lyon Court to ensure their correctness and Aila's winning design represents Moray's characteristics of farmland, barley, rivers, sea, and sunshine.
Lord Lieutenant of Moray Major General Seymour Monro said: "Up until this year there were only about five counties in Scotland with flags, but we now have eight with Aberdeenshire, Banffshire and ourselves.
"I love flags and I hope the Moray flag will become well known. The colours and the design of Aila's flag certainly represent Moray, it's a good design and represents our communities well so I hope everyone will fly it."
Anyone wishing to buy a Moray flag can do so from James Stevenson (Flags) Ltd in Glasgow.
