This unusual county, comprising three main islands and several smaller ones, in the Firth of Clyde, is associated with several distinct heraldic designs. A blue and white chequered bar (heraldically a “fess”) set against a golden field, is found in the arms of the Stewart clan

which originated in the area. A similar bar is present in the arms of the former Buteshire Council,

along with a black ship, recalling the significant role played in Bute by the Somerled dynasty, which was associated with arms bearing such a ship

Similar themes are present in the arms of the Marquess of Bute,

and the Duke of Rothesay (the Prince of Wales)

The proposed design from vexillographer Jason Saber,

combines three of the Somerled ships from the local civic arms, symbolising the three islands of Arran, Bute and Great Cumbrae, with the blue and white chequered bar (“fess”) and yellow field, that feature prominently in local heraldry. This design is available to buy here.

Another suggestion for Buteshire,

available to buy here, from Rupert Barnes also features the chequered blue and white bar and is based on the arms of the Duke of Rothesay (the Prince of Wales) and those of the Marquess of Bute, each of which has a quartering of Or a fess chequy azure and argent, that is, yellow with a blue and white chequered bar across the middle. Rupert advises that his choice of a pale blue field has no specific symbolism but is used for aesthetic reasons and to aid the effectiveness of the flag. His second proposal has the colours found on both local aristocratic arms, replacing the light blue background with a yellow one.

One proposal from Philip Tibbetts, which can be purchased from here, specifically represents the county’s three main islands of Arran, Bute and Great Cumbrae. Again the blue and white checked fess is recalled in the counter-changed partitions of the flag and the same ship theme, as seen in the previous suggestion, deriving from the Somerled symbols, also appears.

His other suggestion

available to buy here has four white diamonds represent the archipelago that makes up the county – including the isles of Arran, Bute, Cumbrae and Holy Isle – whilst the blue field itself symbolises the Firth of Clyde in which the islands are located. The blue and white diamond pattern also reflects the chequered bar of the arms of the Stewart clan. On each white diamond is a black ship derived from the former civic arms of Buteshire.

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Buteshire