Shetland county flag

Design and symbolism

A white Nordic cross extends across blue. It combines the colours of Scotland’s saltire with the off-centre cross familiar from Scandinavian flags.

History and use

Roy Grønneberg and Bill Adams designed it in 1969 to mark five centuries of Shetland’s association with Scotland. Later heraldic recognition preceded its use at the 2005 Island Games. The design date and the later recognition should therefore be read as separate milestones.

The design is listed in the UK Flag Registry. A separate, securely established registration date is not given here; design dates, public unveilings and heraldic grants are different milestones.

Sources and acknowledgements

• Flag Institute: Shetland
• British County Flags: Shetland
• Historic Counties Trust: county flags

County geography follows the Historic Counties Standard, published by the Historic Counties Trust, as used by RealCounties. Read our source and status guidance.

Flag-profile text: Historic Counties Institute, CC BY-SA 3.0, drawing on the credited research. Artwork has its own credit above.