Flying the flag at Berwickshire High School

The new county flag for Berwickshire was raised today at Berwickshire High School in Duns by Lord-Lieutenant of Berwickshire, Jeanna Swan.

Our Chairman, Adrian Smith welcomed everyone to the ceremony. The Society’s William Ramsay and Philip Tibbetts, March Pursuivant Extraordinary, gave a brief history of Berwickshire and the new flag.

The flag was granted warrant on 14 November 2023 by Lord Lyon King of Arms. Per fess Azure and Vert a fess of chain Argent between in chief a Salmon embowed Proper and in base an ear of barley embowed Or.

The central chain represents the Union Chain Bridge, which in turn signifies the link Berwickshire forms between Scotland and England and the historic fluctuations of the border, like the tide coming in and out and up and down the river Tweed. The salmon reflects the importance of our sea fishing industry and recreational river and sea fishing activities, as well as the Berwickshire Marine Reserve off our shores. The ear of barley reflects our ancient and modern agricultural activities in the hinterland and a possible origin for the name Berwickshire.

Our thanks go to The Rector and Senior Team of Berwickshire High School for their hospitality and the School Pipers. Thank you also to our sponsors, The Hugo Burge Foundation, The Fallago Environment Fund and Howden Insurance without whom the competition to create the new flag would not have been possible. Thank you especially to the people of Berwickshire for their engagement in the competition and support of the Berwickshire Flag.

Adrian Smith and Philip Tibbetts are pictured left during the flag-raising ceremony at Berwickshire High School.