Nesting flag unfurled

A GROUP of Shetland primary pupils who designed a flag that flew outside the Houses of Parliament last month were thrilled to have it unveiled at their home school on Thursday.

Recently re-elected northern isles MP Alistair Carmichael travelled to Nesting primary to watch the blue and red ensign unfurled by the children.

The school was selected to represent Shetland and Orkney in a UK-wide project that saw 80 flags from primaries across the country go on display in Parliament Square after MPs returned from the general election.

The display was designed to celebrate the 750th anniversary of the Montfort parliament, when representatives of the towns and shires came together for the first time.

Nesting’s flag, which used the intercounty colours of the northern isles, as well as a raven emblem to honour Up Helly Aa, will now go on show every year in the school’s games hall during the local fire festival.

Carmichael later heard from the school’s primary seven pupils about some of their recent projects.

Head teacher Kate Coutts said that both she and the pupils were very happy at how the flag had turned out.

“We’ve been very pleased with the whole project,” she said. “You’re getting national recognition for your kids’ work and you can see how delighted they are.

“I think it’s been a big success story for the school and the finished product is absolutely fantastic.

“I think the children are very proud. It’s the fact that it’s a national thing, and it’s a very spectacular design that really captures Nesting, Shetland and Orkney too.”

The design was originally sent electronically to the organisers, who then constructed the 12ft by 6ft flag before putting it on display.

The Liberal Democrat MP wasn’t the only visitor to the school on the day – one of their rooms had been reinvented as a pop-up shop for the bikers attending the nearby Simmer Dim Rally.