Handover and History of the School Flag

The bold colours of the school flag will have featured throughout every OFs time at Fettes whether that be above the school roof or around the sports fields. First flown on the 21st March 1928 on the occasion of a hockey match against Loretto, the design of the school flag is taken from Sir William Fettes’ coat of arms. William Fettes was awarded a baronetcy in 1804 which entitled him to adopt a coat of arms. He chose a shield with two stars above a chevron and a crosslet supported by a lion and a chaine stag, a helmet above, surmounted by a bee and the motto ‘Industria’. This formed the basis for the College’s crest and the central shield was used as the design for the school flag.

Over the years the school flag has been flown around the campus on numerous occasions and taken on away fixtures and trips to display our pride for our school. The flag has even made it to the top of Norway’s highest mountain when, in July 1989, a group of staff and students ascended the 2,469m high Galdhøpiggen. At the summit they draped the Fettes flag over some rocks for an excellent photo opportunity. After its many adventures the school flag had begun to look a little worse for wear, so the school was delighted when the OFA generously offered to gift a new flag to Fettes. The design remains the same and will continue to bring back memories for many OFs.

The school flag at the top of the 2,469m high Galdhøpiggen in July 1989.

A small ceremony was held on Friday 4th March, when, President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) officially handed over the bright new flag, on behalf of the OFA, to Fettes. In between rain showers, the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present) and Henry along with the Heads of School, Elliot Wilson (PS-Gl 2016–2022) and Freya Bathgate (PS-Ar 2015–2022) and the Pipe Major, Clara Johnson (PS-Ar 2014–2022) all gathered on the east roof for the handover, before the new flag was raised to the wonderful sound of the bagpipes.

Pipe Major, Clara Johnson (PS-Ar 2014–2022), the Head, Helen Harrison (Staff 1996–present), President of the OFA, Henry Cave (SH 1980–1984) and the Heads of School, Freya Bathgate (PS-Ar 2015–2022) and Elliot Wilson (PS-Gl 2016–2022) gather on the east roof

Fettes is very grateful to the OFA for this generous gift, which will be enjoyed by current students and alumni for generations to come.

Freya and Elliot drape the flag over the banister above Callover.

The President of the OFA hands the new flag to the Heads of School