A SCOTTISH council is to fly the Catalan flag for one week in a symbolic gesture of solidarity.

West Dunbartonshire Council ordinarily flies the Saltire above its offices in Dumbarton and Clydebank.

However, the SNP-led local authority has substituted its blue and white standard for the red and yellow of Catalonia’s colours in response to the violent attacks by Spanish police on voters during the independence referendum on October 1.

The move was authorised by Provost William Hendrie, who represents the Clydebank Waterfront ward, following a request by Councillor Jim Bollan of the West Dunbartonshire Community Party.

The National:

Photograph: Sean Davenport

The week-long change will run at the body's Garshake Road headquarters in Dumbarton until Tuesday.

In a statement, the council told The National: “The provost agreed to a request to fly the Catalan flag as a symbol of support for those affected by violence in the area on Sunday.”

This is not the first time the local authority has taken the decision to fly an alternative flag above its buildings.

It took the decision to raise the rainbow flag for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender History Month and also opted to hoist the Palestinian standard to "raise awareness of the suffering and deaths of people in Gaza" three years ago.

Last night Bollan told The National that West Dunbartonshire has a “long history of showing solidarity”, citing past support for the people of Chile and Nicaragua as amongst examples.

He said: “It’s important to show the Catalan people they are not as isolated as they think they are.

“People across the world were shocked by what they saw ­ ordinary people being baton charged by the Spanish state, which was reminiscent of what Franco would have done.”