Theflag of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic:bratach na h-Alba;[2]Scots:Banner o Scotland, also known asSt Andrew's Cross orthe Saltire)[3] is thenational flag ofScotland, which consists of a whitesaltire over a blue field. The Saltire, rather than theRoyal Standard of Scotland, is the correct flag for all private individuals and corporate bodies to fly.[4] It is also, where possible, flown fromScottish Government buildings every day from 8:00 am until sunset, with certain exceptions.[5]
Use of the flag is first recorded with the illustration of a heraldic flag inSir David Lyndsay of the Mount'sRegister of Scottish Arms,c. 1542.[6] It is possible that this is based on a precedent of the late 15th century, the use of a white saltire in the canton of a blue flag reputedly made byQueen Margaret, wife ofJames III (1451–1488).[7] It is considered to be the oldest flag inEurope.[8]
Theheraldic term for an X-shaped cross is a 'saltire', from theold French wordsaultoir orsalteur (itself derived from the Latinsaltatorium), a word for both a type of stile constructed from two cross pieces and a type of cross-shaped stirrup-cord.[9] Inheraldic language, the Scottish flag may beblazonedazure, a saltireargent. Thetincture of the Saltire can appear as either silver (argent) or white. However, the termazure does not refer to a particular shade of blue.[10]
Throughout the history of fabric productionnatural dyes have been used to apply a form of colour,[11] with dyes from plants, includingindigo andwoad, having dozens of compounds whose proportions may vary according to soil type and climate; therefore giving rise to variations in shade.[12] In the case of the Saltire, variations in shades of blue have resulted in the background of the flag ranging fromsky blue tonavy blue. When incorporated as part of theUnion Flag during the 17th century, the dark blue applied to Union Flags destined for maritime use was possibly selected on the basis of the durability of darker dyes,[13] with this dark blue shade eventually becoming standard on Union Flags both at sea and on land. Some flag manufacturers selected the same navy blue colour trend of the Union Flag for the Saltire itself, leading to a variety of shades of blue being depicted on the flag of Scotland.[14]
These variations in shade eventually led to calls to standardise the colour of Scotland's national flag,[15] and in 2003 acommittee of the Scottish Parliament met to examine a petition that theScottish Executive adopt thePantone 300 colour as a standard (this blue is of a lighter shade than the Pantone 280 of the Union Flag). Having taken advice from a number of sources, including the office of theLord Lyon King of Arms, the committee recommended that the optimum shade of blue for the Saltire be Pantone 300.[16] Recent versions of the Saltire have therefore largely converged on this official recommendation (Pantone 300 is #005EB8 as aweb colour).[17][18][19]
The flag proportions are not fixed but 3:5 is most commonly used, as with other flags of the countries of the United Kingdom (flag manufacturers themselves may adopt alternative ratios, including 1:2 or 2:3).[20] Lord Lyon King of Arms states that 4:5 is suitable.[4] The ratio of the width of the bars of the saltire in relation to the width of thefield is specified in heraldry in relation toshield width rather than flag width. However, this ratio, though not rigid, is specified as one-third to one-fifth of the width of the field.[21]
According to legend, the use of the Saltire as the flag of Scotland originated on the eve of the Battle ofAthelstaneford in 832. The 1320Declaration of Arbroath cites Scotland's conversion to Christianity bySt. Andrew, "the first to be an Apostle". Depiction of the saint being crucified on a decussate cross was seen on seals in Scotland from 1180 onwards and was used on a seal of theGuardians of Scotland, dated 1286.[23] BishopWilliam de Lamberton (r. 1297–1328) also used the crucified figure of the saint in his seal.[24]
Model of theGreat Michael
The saltire (decussate cross, diagonal cross) was used as afield sign in the medieval period without any connection to Saint Andrew. The connection between the field sign and the legendary mode of crucifixion of the saint may originate in Scotland, in the late 14th century. TheParliament of Scotland decreedin 1385 that every Scottish and French soldier (fighting against the English underRichard II) "shall have a sign before and behind, namely a white St. Andrew's Cross".[25]
Use of the white "Sanct Androis cors" on blue as a naval flag is recorded for 1507, for thecarrackGreat Michael.[27] As a heraldic flag, the white saltire on a blue field is first shown in 1542, in the armorial ofDavid Lyndsay. Here, theroyal arms are supported by two unicorns, each holding the saltire banner.[6]
TheScottish Government has ruled that the Saltire should, where possible, fly on all its buildings every day from 8am until sunset.[5] An exception is made for United Kingdom "national days", when on buildings where only one flagpole is present the Saltire shall be lowered and replaced with theUnion Flag.[28] Suchflag days are standard throughout the United Kingdom, with the exception of Merchant Navy Day (3 September) which is a specific flag day in Scotland during which theRed Ensign of theMerchant Navy may be flown on land in place of either the Saltire or Union Flag.[5]
A further Scottish distinction from the UK flag days is that onSaint Andrew's Day (30 November) the Union Flag will only be flown where a building has more than one flagpole; the Saltire will not be lowered to make way for the Union Flag where a single flagpole is present.[5] If there are two or more flagpoles present, the Saltire may be flown in addition to the Union Flag but not in a superior position.[28] This distinction arose afterMembers of the Scottish Parliament complained that Scotland was the only country in the world where the potential existed for the citizens of a country to be unable to fly their national flag on their country's national day.[29] In recent years, embassies of the United Kingdom have also flown the Saltire to mark St Andrew's Day.[30] Many bodies of the Scottish Government use the flag as a design basis for their logo. For example, Safer Scotland's emblem depicts a lighthouse shining beams in a saltire shape onto a blue sky.[31] Other Scottish bodies, both private and public, have also used the saltire in similar ways.[32]
The sevenBritish Army Infantrybattalions of theScottish Division, plus theScots Guards andRoyal Scots Dragoon Guardsregiments, use the Saltire in a variety of forms. Combat and transport vehicles of these Army units may be adorned with a small, (130x80mm approx.), representation of the Saltire; suchdecals being displayed on the front and/or rear of the vehicle (on tanks these may also be displayed on the vehicle turret).[33] InIraq, during bothOperation Granby and the subsequentOperation Telic, the Saltire was seen to be flown from the communicationswhip antenna of vehicles belonging to these units.[34][35] Funerals, conducted with fullmilitary honours, of casualties of these operations in Iraq, plus those killed in operations inAfghanistan,[36] have also been seen to include the Saltire being draped over the coffin of the deceased on such occasions.[37]
In the battle for "hearts and minds" in Iraq, the Saltire was again used by the British Army as a means of distinguishing troops belonging to Scottish regiments from other coalition forces, in the hope of fostering better relations with the civilian population in the area south west ofBaghdad. Leaflets were distributed to Iraqi civilians, by members of theBlack Watch, depicting troops and vehicles set against a backdrop of the Saltire.[38]
Immediately prior to, and following, the merger in March 2006 of Scotland's historic infantry regiments to form a singleRoyal Regiment of Scotland, a multi-million-pound advertising campaign was launched in Scotland in an attempt to attract recruits to join the reorganised and simultaneously rebranded "Scottish Infantry". The recruitment campaign employed the Saltire in the form of a logo; the words "Scottish Infantry. Forward As One." being placed next to a stylised image of the Saltire. For the duration of the campaign, this logo was used in conjunction with the traditional Army recruiting logo; the words "Army. Be The Best." being placed beneath a stylised representation of the Union Flag.[citation needed] Despite this multi-media campaign having had mixed results in terms of overall success,[39] the Saltire continues to appear on a variety of Army recruiting media used in Scotland.
Other uses of the Saltire by the Army include the cap badge design of theRoyal Regiment of Scotland, which consists of a (silver) Saltire, surmounted by a (gilt)lion rampant and ensigned with a representation of theCrown of Scotland (this same design, save for the Crown, is used on both the Regimental flag andtactical recognition flash of the Royal Regiment of Scotland).[40] The badge of theNo. 679 (The Duke of Connaught's) SquadronArmy Air Corps bears a Saltire between two wreaths ensigned 'Scottish Horse', an honour they received in 1971 which originated through their links with the Royal Artillery.[41] TheOfficer Training Corps units attached to universities in Edinburgh and Glasgow, plus the Tayforth University OTC, all feature the Saltire in their cap badge designs.[42]
Although not represented in the form of a flag, theNo. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron of theRoyal Auxiliary Air Force uses the Saltire surmounted by a lion rampant as the device shown on the squadron crest.[44] The station crest of the formerRAF Leuchars,Fife, also showed the Saltire, in this case surmounted by a sword. The crest of the formerRAF East Fortune,East Lothian, also showed a sword surmounting the Saltire, however, unlike Leuchars, this sword was shown inverted[45] and the station crest of the formerRAF Turnhouse,Edinburgh, showed a Saltire surmounted by an eagle's head.[46] TheEast of Scotland Universities Air Squadron crest features a Saltire surmounted by an open book; the book itself being supported by red lions rampant.[47]
In Scotland, the Saltire can be flown at any time by any individual, company, local authority, hospital or school without obtaining express consent.[4][5] Many local authorities in Scotland fly the Saltire from Council Buildings. However, in 2007Angus Council approved a proposal to replace the Saltire on Council Buildings with a new Angus flag, based on the council's coat of arms. This move led to public outcry across Scotland with more than 7,000 people signing a petition opposing the council's move, leading to a compromise whereby the Angus flag would not replace but be flown alongside the Saltire on council buildings.[48]
In the United Kingdom, owners of vehicles registered inGreat Britain have the option of displaying the Saltire on thevehicle registration plate, in conjunction with the letters "SCO" or alternatively the word "Scotland".[49] In 1999, theRoyal Mail issued a series ofpictorial stamps for Scotland, with the '2nd' value stamp depicting the Flag of Scotland.[50] In Northern Ireland, sections of theProtestant community routinely employ the Saltire as a means of demonstrating and celebrating theirUlster-Scots heritage.[51]
Use of the Saltire at sea as aJack orcourtesy flag has been observed, including as aJack on the Scottish Government's Marine Patrol Vessel (MPV)Jura.[52] The ferry operatorCaledonian MacBrayne routinely flies the Saltire as aJack on vessels which have a bow staff, including when such vessels are underway.[53] This practice has also been observed on thePaddle Steamer Waverley when operating in and around theFirth of Clyde.[54] The practice of maritime vessels adopting the Saltire, for use as ajack orcourtesy flag, may lead to possible confusion in that the Saltire closely resembles the maritimesignal flagM,"MIKE", which is used to indicate "My vessel is stopped; making no way."[55] For the benefit of Scottishseafarers wishing to display a Scottish flag other than the Saltire, thereby avoiding confusion and a possible fine, a campaign was launched in November 2007 seeking official recognition for the historic ScottishRed Ensign.[citation needed] Despite having last been used officially by the pre-UnionRoyal Scots Navy and merchant marine fleets in the 18th century,[56] the flag continues to be produced by flag manufacturers[57][58] and its unofficial use by private citizens on water has been observed.[59]
By the King: Whereas, some differences hath arisen between Our subjects of South and North Britaine travelling by Seas, about the bearing of their Flagges: For the avoiding of all contentions hereafter. We have, with the advice of our Council, ordered: That from henceforth all our Subjects of this Isle and Kingdome of Great Britaine, and all our members thereof, shall beare in their main-toppe theRed Crosse, commonly calledSt. George's Crosse, and the White Crosse, commonly called St. Andrew's Crosse, joyned together according to the forme made by ourheralds, and sent by Us to our Admerall to be published to our Subjects: and in their fore-toppe our Subjects of South Britaine shall weare the Red Crosse onely as they were wont, and our Subjects of North Britaine in their fore-toppe the White Crosse onely as they were accustomed. – 1606.
— Proclamation of James VI, King of Scots: Orders in Council – 12 April 1606.[63]
However, in objecting strongly to the form and pattern of Union Flag designed by theCollege of Arms and approved by King James, whereby the cross ofSaint George surmounted that of Saint Andrew, regarded in Scotland as a slight upon the Scottish nation, a great number ofshipmasters andship-owners in Scotland took up the matter withJohn Erskine, 19th Earl of Mar, and encouraged him to send a letter of complaint, dated 7 August 1606, to James VI, via thePrivy Council of Scotland, stating:
Most sacred Soverayne. A greate nomber of the maisteris and awnaris of the schippis of this your Majesteis kingdome hes verie havelie compleint to your Majesteis Counsell that the form and patrone of the flaggis of schippis, send doun heir and commandit to be ressavit and used be the subjectis of boith kingdomes, is very prejudiciall to the fredome and dignitie of this Estate and will gif occasioun of reprotche to this natioun quhairevir the said flage sal happin to be worne beyond sea becaus, as your sacred majestie may persave, the Scottis Croce, callit Sanctandrois Croce is twyse divydit, and the Inglishe Croce, callit Sanct George, haldin haill and drawne through the Scottis Croce, whiche is thairby obscurit and no takin nor merk to be seen of the Scottis Armes. This will breid some heit and miscontentment betwix your Majesteis subjectis, and it is to be ferit that some inconvenientis sall fall out betwix thame, for oure seyfairing men cannot be inducit to ressave that flag as it is set doun. They haif drawne two new drauchtis and patronis as most indifferent for boith kingdomes which they present to the Counsell, and craved our approbatioun of the same; bot we haif reserved that to you Majesteis princelie determination.
— Letter from the Privy Council of Scotland to James VI, King of Scots – 7 August 1606.[64]
Flag depicted inThe Present State of the Universe (1704)
Despite the drawings described in this letter as showing drafts of the two new patterns, together with any royal response to the complaint which may have accompanied them, having been lost, (possibly in the 1834Burning of Parliament), other evidence exists, at least on paper, of a Scottish variant whereby the Scottish cross appears uppermost. Whilst, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, this design is considered by mostvexillologists to have beenunofficial, there is reason to believe that such flags were employed during the 17th century for use on Scottish vessels at sea.[65][66][67] This flag's design is also described in the 1704 edition ofThe Present State of the Universe by John Beaumont, Junior, which contains as an appendixThe Ensigns, Colours or Flags of the Ships at Sea: Belonging to The several Princes and States in the World.[68]
A reduced view of this engraving, with the flag similarly detailed, also appears on thePlan of Edenburgh, Exactly Done.[72] However, on the engraving entitledNorth Prospect of the City of Edenburgh the detail of the flag, when compared to the aforementioned engravings, appears indistinct and lacks any element resembling a saltire.[73] The reduced version of theNorth Prospect ..., as shown on thePlan of Edenburgh, Exactly Done, does however display the undivided arm of a saltire and is thereby suggestive of the Scottish variant.[72]
"Scots union flag as said to be used by the Scots."[74]
On 17 April 1707, just two weeks prior to theActs of Union coming into effect, Sir Henry St George,Garter King of Arms, presented several designs toQueen Anne and herPrivy Council for consideration as the flag of the soon to be unifiedKingdom of Great Britain. At the request of the Scots representatives, the designs for consideration included that version of Union Flag showing the Cross of Saint Andrew uppermost; identified as being the "Scots union flagg as said to be used by the Scots".[74] However, Queen Anne and her Privy Council approved Sir Henry's original effort (pattern "one") showing the Cross of Saint George uppermost.[74]
From 1801, in order to symbolise the union of the Kingdom of Great Britain with theKingdom of Ireland a new design, which included theSt Patrick's Cross, was adopted for the flag of theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland.[75] A manuscript compiled from 1785 by William Fox, and in possession of theFlag Research Center, includes a full plate showing "the scoth [sic] union" flag with the addition of the cross of St. Patrick. This could imply that there was still some insistence on a Scottish variant after 1801.[76]
Despite its unofficial and historic status the Scottish Union Flag continues to be produced by flag manufacturers,[77] and its unofficial use by private citizens on land has been observed.[78] In 2006 historianDavid R. Ross called for Scotland to once again adopt this design in order to "reflect separate national identities across the UK".[79] However, the 1801 design of the Union Flag remains theofficial flag of the entireUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.[80]
TheDutch municipality ofSint-Oedenrode, named after the Scottish princessSaint Oda, uses a version of the flag of Scotland, defaced with a gold castle having on both sides a battlement.[83]
TheRoyal Standard of Scotland, also known as theBanner of the King of Scots[85] or more commonly theLion Rampant of Scotland,[86] is the Scottish Royal Banner of Arms.[87] Used historically by theKing of Scots, the Royal Standard of Scotland differs from Scotland's national flag, the Saltire, in that its correct use is restricted by anAct of theParliament of Scotland to only a fewGreat Officers of State who officially representThe Sovereign in Scotland.[87] However, a 1934Royal Warrant forGeorge V'ssilver jubilee which authorised waving of hand-held versions continues to be relied upon by fans at sports events and other public occasions.[88] It is also used in an official capacity atRoyal residences in Scotland when the Sovereign is not present.[89]
The flag is implemented using theregional indicator symbol sequenceGB-SCT, so 🏴 requires a total of 7 code points:U+1F3F4🏴WAVING BLACK FLAGU+E0067TAG LATIN SMALL LETTER GU+E0062TAG LATIN SMALL LETTER BU+E0073TAG LATIN SMALL LETTER SU+E0063TAG LATIN SMALL LETTER CU+E0074TAG LATIN SMALL LETTER TU+E007FCANCEL TAG.[94] Prior to this update,The Daily Telegraph reported that users had "been able to send emojis of the Union Flag, but not of the individual nations".[95]
^abc"The Saltire". The Court of the Lord Lyon. Archived fromthe original on 25 April 2018. Retrieved9 December 2009.
^abcde"Flag Flying Guidance".Issue No. 13 (Valid from January 2009). The Government of Scotland. 1 January 2009. Retrieved9 December 2009.
^abNational Library of Scotland (1542)."Plate from the Lindsay Armorial".Scran. Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland. Retrieved9 December 2009.
^MacQueen, Hector; Wortley, Scott (29 July 2000)."(208) Pantone 300 and the Saltire".Scots Law News. The University of Edinburgh, School of Law. Archived fromthe original on 13 May 2012. Retrieved13 May 2012.
^"Petition PE512".Public Petitions Committee – Petition PE512 Detail Page. Scotland, United Kingdom: The Scottish Parliament. 2003. Archived fromthe original on 6 May 2004. Retrieved6 May 2004.Tuesday, February 18, 2003: The Education, Culture and Sport Committee considered a petition from Mr George Reid on the Saltire flag. The Committee agreed that the colour of the Saltire flag should be colour reference Pantone 300.
^Fearn, Jacqueline (2008).Discovering Heraldry. Osprey Publishing. p. 21.ISBN978-0-7478-0660-8.The proportions of the ordinaries and diminutives to the shield have been defined but are not rigid and are secondary to good heraldic design. Thus the chief, fess and pale occupy up to one third of the shield, as do the bend, saltire and cross, unless uncharged, when they occupy one fifth, together with the bar and chevron.Google BooksArchived 4 May 2016 at theWayback Machine
^Henry Laing,Descriptive Catalogue of Impressions from Ancient Scottish Seals (1850),no. 865
^The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al. (eds.), St Andrews (2007–2019),1385/6/4 "ordinance made in council concerning the French army":Item, que tout homme, Francois et Escot, ait un signe devant et derrere cest assavoir une croiz blanche Saint Andrieu et se son jacque soit blanc ou sa cote blanche il portera la dicte croiz blanche en une piece de drap noir ronde ou quarree.
^Bartram, Graham (2001)."The Story of Scotland's Flags"(PDF).Proceedings of the XIX International Congress of Vexillology. York, United Kingdom: Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques. pp. 167–172.
^Wilson, Timothy; National Maritime Museum (Great Britain) (1986).Flags at sea: a guide to the flags flown at sea by British and some foreign ... HMSO. p. 66.ISBN0-11-290389-4.Scottish red ensign 17th-18th centuryGoogle BooksArchived 24 April 2016 at theWayback Machine
^"Supply of Flags"(PDF).PDF, Proper use of the Saltire. The Scottish Flag Trust. n.d. Archived fromthe original(PDF) on 16 July 2011. Retrieved19 December 2009.
^Smith, Whitney (1973).The Flag Bulletin. Flag Research Center.
^Beaumont, John (1704) [First published 1701)].The Present State of the Universe: Or an Account of I. The Rise, Births, Names, ... of All the Present Chief Princes of the World. ... Benj. Motte, and are to be sold byJohn Nutt, 1704. p. 164.
^John Slezer, Robert Sibbald and Abel Swall (1693).Theatrum Scotiae: Containing the prospects of their Majesties castles and palaces: together with those of the most considerable towns and colleges; the ruins of many ancient abbeys, churches, monasteries and convents, within the said kingdom. All curiously engraven on copper plates. With a short ... John Leake. p. 114.
^Innes of Learney, Sir Thomas (1934).Scots heraldry: a practical handbook on the historical principles and modern application of the art and science. Oliver and Boyd. p. 186.Google BooksArchived 11 May 2016 at theWayback Machine
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