Flagpole idea raises contentious issues

Regarding the article on the front page of last week’s Blairie mentioning a survey being carried out as to whether the Wellmeadow should have more flagpoles and the reasonings behind it, perhaps readers may wish to consider some observations on the subject.

The matter was raised following the current lone Saltire flag being removed and replaced by the UnionFlag at half-mast for an eight-day mourning period following the death of the Duke of Edinburgh

While I had no issue over this being an ex-Service veteran and considering it a rightful mark of respect, I did however notice that the Royal British Legion Branch in Blair lowered their flag which is a Saltire to half-mast and wondered if that would not have sufficed for the Wellmeadow, being the national flag of Scotland, to reflect the Duke’s Scottish title.

Out of curiosity, I researched some old photographs and postcards of the Wellmeadow and it seems no Union Flag has ever been flown there in well over 100 years. At one time there were four flagpoles but they were used as frames for bunting

More flags to represent various events and causes would be welcome, however given the current misgivings by many on the Conservative government’s policy of “Union Jackery”, branding products from whisky to haggis with Union flag stickers, this may turn out to be a hot tattie of contention best left in the dreel.

Two local Conservative councillors are keen to progress this, however, interestingly, I note that the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party’s logo is a stylised Saltire which seems good enough for them as it stands.

Whatever your view, symbolism with flags will always be a factor, some unsettling recent issues are a recent directive by the UK government that all UK government buildings will fly the Union Flag, with the exception of Northern

Ireland where it is well known how divisive that can be, which rather tells its own story

Compounded by the trashings of George Square in Glasgow, twice in the last few months by football supporters, making their point waving a specific flag about, leads me to think, it if ain’t broke in Blair .... don’t fix it?

I did note that of four reasons for extra flagpoles listed in the survey, the mention of the Union Flag was tucked away last after various other suggestions.

Given that the Union Flag would technically ascend supremacy position over the historically older Saltire, it seems highly unlikely it will be first choice for being replaced in the future, and did seem rather oddly disingenuous being mentioned as a default aside, rather encouraging Jackery stealth suspicions.

Perhaps the easy option would be either retaining the current uncontentious Saltire, adding other non-contentious flags as required, or simply having all flags reflecting causes without any national flags being displayed, or even consider the return of colourful bunting?

The alternative I suspect will disquiet half of the local population from a political viewpoint, no matter however apolitical one wishes the issue to be, and change will enable and unleash cause and effect, something Blair might be best to avoid?

David Gow, Rattray

Dear Editor

I fully support the idea of three flags as this will create harmony.

Tom McEwan is hypocritical in his assessment, as the Saltire does not represent Scotland as it should, as the flag has been hijacked by SNP as their flag.

Having the Union Flag, the Saltire plus community flags, represents all sections of our diverse society.

To be able to put up a flag to celebrate a group’s activities or to celebrate a visiting party from another country is a wonderful idea.