Ideas for Scottish parliament flag run rampant

PERHAPS they should consider an upside-down Union Jack. Scotland’s parliament may be a year behind schedule and massively overspent, but that will not get in the way of creating a new flag for the troubled institution.

MSPs charged with the parliament’s image want to create a distinctive emblem to fly over Holyrood in a bid to promote its identity and restore pride.

Flags are not routinely flown above the parliament’s temporary Edinburgh home on The Mound, although the Saltire, Union Flag, and appropriate national flags are flown to welcome visiting heads of state.

Among the new designs expected to be considered by the parliament’s cross-party housekeeping group is a version of the parliament’s existing logo, which features a Saltire against a purple backdrop with a crown above and cords to each side.

But top design agencies approached by Scotland on Sunday have devised a series of eye-catching alternatives, some serious, others light-hearted.

Bond Advertising came up with two tongue-in-cheek images reflecting public concerns about the project since its estimated cost has risen to 325m - more than eight times the original 40m estimate made five years ago.

They have named the proposed flags the Jolly McRoger, which features a skull and crossbones, and the Lying Rampant, a provocative interpretation of Scotland’s striking Lion Rampant featuring a pound symbol.

Guy Vickerstaff, a Bond creative partner, joked: "If the parliament decides to go with one of our designs, it’ll cost them 400m quid and take five years to produce. But bear in mind that’s just an estimate."

Citigate SMARTS opted for a similar theme, with its interpretation of the Saltire, replacing the blue backdrop with images of five pound notes.

The agency’s Ben Craig explained: "Any lingering doubts that the Scots are still regarded as a nation of skinflints have surely been swept away for good. We mean, of course, the new Scottish parliament building - a monument to taxpayers’ angst and dodgy building estimates.

"And what better standard to flap forlornly high above the new seat of power than a Saltire fashioned from Scottish fivers. Not that there can be many left now."

The Tayburn agency opted for a more serious approach with equally powerful symbolism. One, a transparent flag, features the parliament’s existing logo.

Malcolm Stewart, Tayburn’s creative director, said: "The new flag could reflect the openness, honesty and highest standards of integrity we have all come to expect from our parliament."

The second design, The Hub Flag has a strong, worthy rationale. "The new Scottish parliament building could be seen as a hub for the nation - a centre of excellence from which ideas, prosperity and confidence radiate," Stewart said.

Deliberately, it also resembles a target, reflecting the fact that during its short lifetime the Scottish parliament and its members have come in for enormous criticism.

Politicians voiced mixed views about the idea of a new flag flying above Holyrood, which is due for completion next year.

John Young, a Conservative member of the corporate body, welcomed the idea of a flag flying above Holyrood, so long as the parliament also flies the Saltire and the Union Flag.

Speaking in a personal capacity, he added: "It would promote the identity of the parliament and probably become fairly recognisable in Scotland and around the world."

But some Scottish Nationalists are opposed to the idea, believing that as Scotland’s national flag, only the Saltire should fly above Holyrood.

A spokesman for the Scottish parliament confirmed plans for a dedicated flag for Holyrood had been discussed but he said it was "not a priority".

[email protected]