Editing Flag of Scotland

{{Short description|none}}
{{Redirect|The Saltire||Saltire}}
{{Good article}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox flag
| Name = Scotland
| Nickname = {{ubl
  |[[Saltire|St Andrew's Cross]]
  |The [[Saltire]]
  }}
| Image = Flag of Scotland.svg
| Use = 111000
| Symbol = {{FIAV|111000}}{{FIAV|normal}}{{FIAV|Equal}}
| Proportion = various
| Design = A blue field with a white saltire that extends to the corners of the flag. In [[Blazon]], ''[[Azure (heraldry)|Azure]], a saltire [[Argent]]''.
}}

The '''flag of Scotland''' ({{langx|gd|bratach na h-Alba}};<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishflagtrust.com/AthelsatnefordlanguageLfts.pdf |title=Visit Athelstaneford. Birthplace of Scotland's Flag |access-date=12 March 2010 |date=n.d. |publisher=Scottish Flag Trust |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716021436/http://www.scottishflagtrust.com/AthelsatnefordlanguageLfts.pdf |archive-date=16 July 2011  }}</ref> {{langx|sco|Banner o Scotland}}, also known as '''St Andrew's Cross''' or '''the Saltire''')<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/briefings/snpc-04474.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090618161731/http://www.parliament.uk/commons/lib/research/briefings/snpc-04474.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 June 2009 |title=The Union Flag and Flags of the United Kingdom |access-date=10 February 2010 |date=3 June 2008 |work=SN/PC/04447 |first1=Kevin |last1=Williams |last2=Walpole |first2=Jennifer |publisher=House of Commons Library  }}
{{cite web|url=http://www.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-00-113-368-C |title=Scotland's National Flag, the Saltire or St Andrews Cross |access-date=9 December 2009 |last=Gardiner |first=James |work=Scran |publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland }}</ref> is the [[national flag]] of [[Scotland]], which consists of a white [[saltire]] [[Defacement (flag)|defacing]] a blue field. The Saltire, rather than the [[Royal Standard of Scotland]], is the correct flag for all private individuals and corporate bodies to fly.<ref name='lyon'>{{cite web |url=http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/236.html |title=The Saltire |access-date=9 December 2009 |publisher=The Court of the Lord Lyon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180425205459/http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/236.html |archive-date=25 April 2018 |url-status=dead  }}</ref> It is also, where possible, flown from [[Scottish Government]] buildings every day from 8:00 am until sunset, with certain exceptions.<ref name='Govt'>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/royal-ceremonial/flag-guidance |title=Flag Flying Guidance |access-date=9 December 2009 |date=1 January 2009 |work=Issue No. 13 (Valid from January 2009) |publisher=The Government of Scotland }}</ref>

Use of the flag is first recorded with the illustration of a heraldic flag in [[David Lyndsay|Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount]]'s ''Register of Scottish Arms,'' {{Circa|1542}}.<ref name='SCRAN'>{{cite web|url=http://www.scran.ac.uk/database/record.php?usi=000-000-578-942-C&scache=2u90s101bf&searchdb=scran |title=Plate from the Lindsay Armorial |access-date=9 December 2009 |author=National Library of Scotland |year=1542 |work=Scran |publisher=Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland }}</ref> 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 by [[Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland|Queen Margaret]], wife of [[James III of Scotland|James III]] (1451–1488).<ref>{{cite book|title=British Flags & Emblems|publisher=Tuckwell Press|isbn=1-86232-297-X|last=Bartram|first=Graham|year=2004|quote=The blue background dates back to at least the 15th century.|page=10 }} [http://www.flaginstitute.org/images/page10_large.gif www.flaginstitute.org] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109055700/http://www.flaginstitute.org/images/page10_large.gif |date=9 November 2012 }}</ref>

==Design==
[[File:Flag of Scotland (traditional).svg|right|thumb|{{FIAV|historical}} Saltire with ''sky blue'' field]]
[[File:Flag of Scotland (navy blue).svg|right|thumb|{{FIAV|historical}} Saltire with ''navy blue'' field]]
The [[heraldry|heraldic]] term for an X-shaped cross is a 'saltire', from the [[old French]] word {{lang|fro|saultoir}} or {{lang|fro|salteur}} (itself derived from the Latin {{lang|la|saltatorium}}), a word for both a type of stile constructed from two cross pieces and a type of cross-shaped stirrup-cord.<ref>''Oxford English Dictionary'', Second edition, 1989</ref> In [[heraldry|heraldic]] language, the Scottish flag may be [[blazon]]ed ''[[Azure (heraldry)|azure]], a saltire [[argent]]''. The [[Tincture (heraldry)|tincture]] of the Saltire can appear as either silver (''argent'') or white. However, the term ''azure'' does not refer to a particular shade of blue.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Faq.htm |title=Frequently Asked Questions |access-date=9 December 2009 |publisher=College of Arms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090413213138/http://www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Faq.htm |archive-date=13 April 2009 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

Throughout the history of fabric production [[natural dye]]s have been used to apply a form of colour,<ref>{{cite book|title=All about fabrics: an introduction to needlecraft|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=0-19-832755-2|last=Holland|first=Stephanie|year=1987|quote=Throughout the history of fabric production, natural dyes have been used. They came from plant and animal sources, usually relating to the area in which the fabric was produced.|page=[https://archive.org/details/allaboutfabricsi0000holl/page/31 31]|url=https://archive.org/details/allaboutfabricsi0000holl/page/31}} [https://archive.org/details/allaboutfabricsi0000holl/page/31 <!-- quote="what dyes were available". --> Internet Archive] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426212033/https://books.google.com/books?id=Fgoy0G0_T4oC&pg=PA31&dq=%22what+dyes+were+available%22&cd=1#v=onepage&q=%22what%20dyes%20were%20available%22&f=false |date=26 April 2016 }}</ref> with dyes from plants, including [[indigo dye|indigo]] and [[woad]], having dozens of compounds whose proportions may vary according to soil type and climate; therefore giving rise to variations in shade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wildcolours.co.uk/html/natural_dyes_comparison.html |title=Natural Dyes vs. synthetic dyes|access-date=28 September 2010 |date=October 2006 |work=Natural Dyes|publisher=WildColours}}</ref> In the case of the Saltire, variations in shades of blue have resulted in the background of the flag ranging from [[sky blue]] to [[navy blue]]. When incorporated as part of the [[Union 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,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb.html#col |title=Colour of the flag| access-date=12 December 2009 |publisher=Flags of the World }}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news | first=Hamish | last=Macdonell | title=Parliament to set standard colour for Saltire | date=19 February 2003 | publisher=Johnston Press Digital Publishing | url =http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/standrewscross/Parliament-to-set-standard-colour.2403689.jp | work =The Scotsman | access-date = 9 December 2009 }}</ref>

These variations in shade eventually led to calls to standardise the colour of Scotland's national flag,<ref>{{cite news | first=Hamish | last=Macdonell | title=MSPs are feeling blue over shady Saltire business | date=3 June 2002 | publisher=Johnston Press Digital Publishing | url =http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/standrewscross/MSPs-are-feeling-blue-over.2332166.jp | work=The Scotsman | access-date = 28 November 2009 }}</ref> and in 2003 a [[committee of the Scottish Parliament]] met to examine a petition that the [[Scottish Executive]] adopt the [[Pantone]] 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 the [[Lord Lyon King of Arms]], the committee recommended that the optimum shade of blue for the Saltire be Pantone 300.<ref>{{cite news|first1=Hector |last1=MacQueen |last2=Wortley |first2=Scott |title=(208) Pantone 300 and the Saltire |date=29 July 2000 |publisher=The University of Edinburgh, School of Law. |url=http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/sln/blogentry.aspx?blogentryref=7261 |work=Scots Law News |access-date=13 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120513070521/http://www.law.ed.ac.uk/sln/blogentry.aspx?blogentryref=7261 |archive-date=13 May 2012 }}</ref> Recent versions of the Saltire have therefore largely converged on this official recommendation (Pantone 300 is #005EB8 as a [[web colour]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/colorfinder.aspx |title=Pantone 300 Coated |access-date=9 December 2009 |work=Find a PANTONE color |publisher=Pantone LLC }}</ref><ref name="BBCAzureThing">{{Cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2778189.stm |title=Flag colour is azure thing: Politicians have finally nailed their colours to the mast by specifying the precise shade of blue in Scotland's national flag |date=19 February 2003 |location=United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland |work=BBC News |author=BBC News |publisher=British Broadcasting Corporation |access-date=1 November 2003 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031101170046/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/2778189.stm |archive-date=1 November 2003 }}</ref><ref name="PE512">{{Cite web|url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/petitions/public/petit-child/PE512.htm |title=Petition PE512 |date=2003 |access-date=6 May 2004 |work=Public Petitions Committee – Petition PE512 Detail Page |publisher=The Scottish Parliament |location=Scotland, United Kingdom |quote=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. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040506123227/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/petitions/public/petit-child/PE512.htm |archive-date=6 May 2004 }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
! scope=col width="150" |Scheme
! scope=col style="background-color:#005EB8; color:white; width:150px" |Blue
! scope=col style="background-color:white; color:black; width:150px" |White
|- align="center"
|[[Pantone]]
|300 C
|White
|- align="center"
|[[Web colour]]
|#005EB8
|#FFFFFF
|- align="center"
|[[RGB]]
|0, 94, 184
|255, 255, 255 
|- align="center"
|[[CMYK]]
| 72-35-0-28
|0-0-0-0
|}
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).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.flyingcolours.org/product-detail.php?ID=8 |title=Scotland – St Andrews Saltire) |access-date=20 September 2010 |work=UK Flags |publisher=Flying Colours Flagmakers |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726061622/http://www.flyingcolours.org/product-detail.php?ID=8 |archive-date=26 July 2011  }}</ref> Lord Lyon King of Arms states that 4:5 is suitable.<ref name="lyon" /> The ratio of the width of the bars of the saltire in relation to the width of the [[field (heraldry)|field]] is specified in heraldry in relation to [[escutcheon (heraldry)|shield]] 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.<ref>{{cite book|title=Discovering Heraldry|publisher=Osprey Publishing|isbn=978-0-7478-0660-8|last=Fearn|first=Jacqueline|year=2008|quote=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.|page=21}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=GzDDnhcuOoIC&dq=saltire+one-third+one-fifth+width+charged+uncharged&pg=PA21 Google Books] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160504145712/https://books.google.com/books?id=GzDDnhcuOoIC&pg=PA21&dq=saltire+one-third+one-fifth+width+charged+uncharged&as_brr=3&cd=1#v=onepage&q=saltire%20one-third%20one-fifth%20width%20charged%20uncharged&f=false |date=4 May 2016 }}</ref>

==History==
<!--[[File:Pennon of James Douglas, Earl of Moray from Otterburn 001.jpg|thumb|Pennon of James Douglas, Earl of Moray ([[Walter Scott]], ''Border Antiquities'',  1814)]]-->

[[File:Model of the 'Great Michael'.jpg|thumb|left|Model of the ''Great Michael'']]

According to legend, the use of the Saltire as the flag of Scotland originated on the eve of the Battle of [[Athelstaneford]] in 832. The 1320 [[Declaration of Arbroath]] cites Scotland's conversion to Christianity by [[St. 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 the [[Guardians of Scotland]], dated 1286.<ref name='NAS'>{{cite web |url=http://www.nas.gov.uk/about/051124.asp |title=Feature: Saint Andrew seals Scotland's independence |access-date=9 December 2009 |date=28 November 2007 |publisher=The National Archives of Scotland |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130916085046/http://www.nas.gov.uk/about/051124.asp |archive-date=16 September 2013  }}{{unreliable source?|date=March 2019}}</ref> Bishop [[William de Lamberton]] (r. 1297–1328) also used the crucified figure of the saint in his seal.<ref>Henry Laing, ''Descriptive Catalogue of Impressions from Ancient Scottish Seals'' (1850), [https://books.google.com/books?id=hlQJAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA145 no. 865]</ref>

[[File:Unicorn and Thistle, heraldic panel of King James V at the gatehouse of Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh.jpg|thumb|upright|Arms of [[James V of Scotland|King James V]] (r. 1513–1542)<ref>A unicorn, holding the saltire (over the centre of which is a crown) supporting an escutcheon bearing a lion rampant, to either side and below are thistles, at the bottom in painted gold raised letters the inscription I R 5. Public Monuments and Sculpture Association  [https://canmore.org.uk/event/613230 (PMSA Work Ref.: EDIN0720)]</ref>]]

The saltire (decussate cross, diagonal cross) was used as a [[field 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. The [[Parliament of Scotland]] decreed [[English invasion of Scotland (1385)|in 1385]] that every Scottish and French soldier (fighting against the English under [[Richard II of England|Richard II]]) "shall have  a sign before and behind, namely a white St. Andrew's Cross".<ref>The Records of the Parliaments of Scotland to 1707, K.M. Brown et al. (eds.), St Andrews (2007–2019), [http://www.rps.ac.uk/mss/1385/6/4 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.''</ref>

[[James Douglas, 2nd Earl of Douglas]] at the [[Battle of Otterburn]] (1388) reportedly used a pennon with a saltire at the hoist. Similarly, white saltire was shown in the canton of the "Blue Blanket of the Trades of [[Edinburgh]]", reputedly made by [[Margaret of Denmark, Queen of Scotland|Queen Margaret]], wife of [[James III of Scotland|James III]] (1451–1488).<ref name='Bartram'>{{Cite conference| first=Graham | last=Bartram| contribution=The Story of Scotland's Flags| title=Proceedings of the XIX International Congress of Vexillology| publisher=Fédération internationale des associations vexillologiques| place=York, United Kingdom| pages=167–172| year=2001 | contribution-url=http://www.flaginstitute.org/pdfs/Graham%20Bartram.pdf}}</ref> This is the flag of the [[Incorporated Trades of Edinburgh]], and the focal point of the Riding of the Marches ceremony held in the city each year.

Use of the white "Sanct Androis cors" on blue as a naval flag is recorded for 1507, for the [[carrack]] ''[[Great Michael]]''.<ref name="Treas">Balfour Paul, Sir James (1902). ''Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland. Vol. iv. A.D. 1507–1513.'' H.M. General Register House, Edinburgh. p. 477. {{cite web|url= https://archive.org/stream/accountslordhig01offigoog#page/n573/mode/2up |title=Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer of Scotland = Compota thesaurariorum Regum Scotorum |year=1877 |access-date=30 December 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160403173248/https://archive.org/stream/accountslordhig01offigoog |archive-date=3 April 2016  }}</ref> As a heraldic flag, the white saltire on a blue field is first shown in 1542, in the armorial of [[David Lyndsay]]. Here, the [[Royal Arms of Scotland|royal arms]] are supported by two unicorns, each holding the saltire banner.<ref name="SCRAN"  />

==Protocol==
===Use by the Scottish Government===

[[File:Scottish Government Logo.svg|250px|thumb|right|[[Scottish Government]] logo]]

The [[Scottish Government]] has ruled that the Saltire should, where possible, fly on all its buildings every day from 8am until sunset.<ref name="Govt" /> 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 the [[Union Flag]].<ref name='ukflagdates'>{{cite web|url=http://www.culture.gov.uk/flagflying/dates.html |title=Dates for Hoisting Flags on UK Government Buildings 2009 |access-date=14 December 2009 |date=16 December 2008 |work=Flying the Flag on UK Government Buildings |publisher=Department for Culture, Media and Sport |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090316062848/http://www.culture.gov.uk/flagflying/dates.html |archive-date=16 March 2009 }}</ref> Such [[Flag of the United Kingdom#Flag days|flag 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 the [[Red Ensign]] of the [[Merchant Navy]] may be flown on land in place of either the Saltire or Union Flag.<ref name="Govt" />

A further Scottish distinction from the UK flag days is that on [[Saint 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.<ref name="Govt" /> 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.<ref name='ukflagdates'/> This distinction arose after [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|Members 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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ministers agree flag day review |date=20 May 2002 |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/1997980.stm |access-date=30 November 2009 }}</ref> In recent years, embassies of the United Kingdom have also flown the Saltire to mark St Andrew's Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2006/11/07155736 |title=St Andrews Day celebrations |access-date=1 December 2009 |date=7 November 2006 |publisher=The Scottish Executive}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Justice/public-safety/17141/practitioners |title=Community Safety in Scotland – Information for Practitioners |access-date=1 December 2009 |work=Law, Order & Public Safety |date=29 December 2008 |publisher=The Government of Scotland}}</ref> Other Scottish bodies, both private and public, have also used the saltire in similar ways.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scottishflagtrust.com/FactTheFlag.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716020224/http://www.scottishflagtrust.com/FactTheFlag.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 July 2011 |title=The Flag of Scotland |access-date=18 December 2009 |work=FactTheFlag |publisher=The Scottish Flag Trust }}</ref>

===Use by military institutions on land===

[[File:Challenger Desert Storm 1.jpg|thumb|right|[[Challenger 1]] [[Main Battle Tank|tank]] of the [[Royal Scots Dragoon Guards]] flying a Saltire from the whip antenna]][[File:050625-Kiel-x82-600.jpg|thumb|right|[[Royal Navy]] [[Westland Sea King|Sea King Mk5]] of [[HMS Gannet SAR Flight|HMS ''Gannet'']]]]

The seven [[British Army Infantry]] [[battalion]]s of the [[Scottish Division]], plus the [[Scots Guards]] and [[Royal Scots Dragoon Guards]] [[regiment]]s, 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; such [[decal]]s being displayed on the front and/or rear of the vehicle (on tanks these may also be displayed on the vehicle turret).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/bwbg/bw_prep_turret_hr.jpg |title=MoD image |access-date=1 December 2009 |publisher=[[Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom)|MoD]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716124551/http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/bwbg/bw_prep_turret_hr.jpg |archive-date=16 July 2009  }}</ref> In [[Iraq]], during both [[Operation Granby]] and the subsequent [[Operation Telic]], the Saltire was seen to be flown from the communications [[whip antenna]] of vehicles belonging to these units.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/land/rsdg_flag_hr.jpg |title=MoD image |access-date=1 December 2009 |publisher=MoD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050514041537/http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/land/rsdg_flag_hr.jpg |archive-date=14 May 2005  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/bwbg/shaibah_saltire_hr.jpg |title=MoD image |access-date=1 December 2009 |publisher=MoD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070610061522/http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/images/bwbg/shaibah_saltire_hr.jpg |archive-date=10 June 2007  }}</ref> Funerals, conducted with full [[military honours]], of casualties of these operations in Iraq, plus those killed in operations in [[Afghanistan]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5817/610xxe.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120730190025/http://img147.imageshack.us/img147/5817/610xxe.jpg |url-status=dead |archive-date=30 July 2012 |title=The coffin of Black Watch soldier Kevin Elliot is carried from St Mary's Church on September 15, 2009 in Dundee, Scotland. |access-date=9 January 2012 |publisher=trackpads.com }}</ref> have also been seen to include the Saltire being draped over the coffin of the deceased on such occasions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.sky.com/home/article/13250061 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120714222416/http://news.sky.com/home/article/13250061 |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 July 2012 |title=Funeral Of Black Watch Bomb Victim |access-date=9 January 2012 |publisher=sky.com }}</ref>

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 of [[Baghdad]]. Leaflets were distributed to Iraqi civilians, by members of the [[Black Watch]], depicting troops and vehicles set against a backdrop of the Saltire.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psywarrior.com/OpnIraqiFreedomcont3.html |title=Operation Iraqi Freedom |access-date=31 May 2009 |publisher=Psywarrior.com }}</ref>

Immediately prior to, and following, the merger in March 2006 of Scotland's historic infantry regiments to form a single [[Royal 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|date=November 2019}} Despite this multi-media campaign having had mixed results in terms of overall success,<ref>{{cite news | first=Ian | last=Bruce | title=Recruits down 15% as Army severs local links | date=19 September 2007 | publisher=Herald & Times Group | url =http://www.heraldscotland.com/recruits-down-15-as-army-severs-local-links-1.865513 | work=The Herald | access-date = 1 June 2009 }}</ref> 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 the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]], which consists of a (silver) Saltire, surmounted by a (gilt) [[lion rampant]] and ensigned with a representation of the [[Crown of Scotland]] (this same design, save for the Crown, is used on both the Regimental flag and [[tactical recognition flash]] of the Royal Regiment of Scotland).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/593DD958-A1EE-4EE1-B1BB-F054822C0810/0/BlackWatch2.JPG |title=MoD image |access-date=2 December 2009 |publisher=MoD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806102825/http://www.mod.uk/NR/rdonlyres/593DD958-A1EE-4EE1-B1BB-F054822C0810/0/BlackWatch2.JPG |archive-date=6 August 2009 }}</ref> The badge of the [[No. 679 (The Duke of Connaught's) Squadron AAC|No. 679 (The Duke of Connaught's) Squadron]] [[Army Air Corps (United Kingdom)|Army 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/aviation/22432.aspx |title=MoD web page |access-date=3 May 2011 |publisher=MOD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111126025101/http://army.mod.uk/aviation/22432.aspx |archive-date=26 November 2011 }}</ref> The [[Officer Training Corps]] units attached to universities in Edinburgh and Glasgow, plus the Tayforth University OTC, all feature the Saltire in their cap badge designs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.army.mod.uk/UOTC/5487.aspx |title=MoD web page |access-date=13 September 2011 |publisher=MOD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110903133135/http://www.army.mod.uk/UOTC/5487.aspx |archive-date=3 September 2011 }}</ref>

The [[Fleet Air Arm]] of the [[Royal Navy]] adorned three of their aircraft with the Saltire. Specifically, the [[Westland Sea King]] Mk5 aircraft of [[HMS Gannet|HMS ''Gannet'']], operating in the [[Search and Rescue]] (SAR) role from [[Glasgow Prestwick Airport|Royal Naval Air Station Prestwick]], [[Ayrshire]], displayed a Saltire decal on the nose of each aircraft.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/sar-operations/hms-gannet/about-us/ |title=MoD web page |access-date=13 September 2011 |publisher=MOD |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101027174415/http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/operations-and-support/fleet-air-arm/sar-operations/hms-gannet/about-us/ |archive-date=27 October 2010 }}</ref>

Although not represented in the form of a flag, the [[No. 602 Squadron RAF|No. 602 (City of Glasgow) Squadron]] of the [[Royal Auxiliary Air Force]] uses the Saltire surmounted by a lion rampant as the device shown on the squadron crest.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bshistorian.files.wordpress.com/2009/02/602sqn1.jpg |title=602sqn image |access-date=2 December 2009 |publisher=The BS Historian }}</ref> The station crest of the former [[RAF Leuchars]], [[Fife]], also showed the Saltire, in this case surmounted by a sword. The crest of the former [[RAF East Fortune]], [[East Lothian]], also showed a sword surmounting the Saltire, however, unlike Leuchars, this sword was shown inverted<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-E.htm | title=RAF Stations – E | access-date=1 December 2010 |publisher=Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation }}</ref> and the station crest of the former [[RAF Turnhouse]], [[Edinburgh]], showed a Saltire surmounted by an eagle's head.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rafweb.org/Stations/Stations-T.htm | title=RAF Stations – T | access-date=1 December 2010 |publisher=Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation }}</ref> The [[East of Scotland Universities Air Squadron]] crest features a Saltire surmounted by an open book; the book itself being supported by red lions rampant.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.raf.mod.uk/eastofscotlanduas/ |title=East of Scotland Universities Air Sqn |access-date=13 September 2011 |publisher=MOD |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111012070303/http://www.raf.mod.uk/eastofscotlanduas/ |archive-date=12 October 2011 |url-status=dead  }}</ref>

===General use===
In Scotland, the Saltire can be flown at any time by any individual, company, local authority, hospital or school without obtaining express consent.<ref name="lyon" /><ref name="Govt"/> Many local authorities in Scotland fly the Saltire from Council Buildings.  However, in 2007 [[Angus, Scotland|Angus]] 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.<ref>{{cite news | first=Philip | last=Murray | title=Saltire and new Angus Flag will be pole buddies | date=12 November 2007 | publisher=Johnston Press Digital Publishing | url=http://www.forfardispatch.co.uk/local/SALTIRE-AND-NEW-ANGUS-FLAG.3479868.jp | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120530080023/http://www.forfardispatch.co.uk/local/SALTIRE-AND-NEW-ANGUS-FLAG.3479868.jp | url-status=dead | archive-date=30 May 2012 | work=Forfar Dispatch | access-date=2 December 2009 }}</ref>

In the United Kingdom, owners of vehicles registered in [[Great Britain]] have the option of displaying the Saltire on the [[Vehicle registration plates of the United Kingdom|vehicle registration plate]], in conjunction with the letters "SCO" or alternatively the word "Scotland".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/@motor/documents/digitalasset/dg_067666.pdf |title=Section 9: National Flags on number plates |access-date=3 December 2009 |date=27 April 2009 |work=(PDF), INF104: Vehicle registration numbers and number plates |publisher=DVLA }}</ref> In 1999, the [[Royal Mail]] issued a series of [[Country definitives#Pictorial issues|pictorial stamps for Scotland]], with the '2nd' value stamp depicting the Flag of Scotland.<ref>{{cite book|title=Stanley Gibbons Great Britain Concise Stamp Catalogue|publisher=Stanley Gibbons Ltd|isbn=978-0-85259-808-5|year=2011|first=Hugh|last=Jeffries}}</ref> In Northern Ireland, sections of the [[Protestant]] community routinely employ the Saltire as a means of demonstrating and celebrating their [[Ulster Scots people|Ulster-Scots]] heritage.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/flags.htm |title=Symbols in Northern Ireland – Flags Used in the Region |access-date=1 December 2009 |work=CAIN Web Service |publisher=University of Ulster |archive-date=14 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110514131904/http://cain.ulst.ac.uk/images/symbols/flags.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>

[[File:Scottish Red Ensign.svg|thumb|{{FIAV|historical}} [[Royal Scots Navy]] red [[Ensign (flag)|ensign]]]] Use of the Saltire at sea as a ''[[Maritime flags#Jacks|Jack]]'' or ''[[courtesy flag]]'' has been observed, including as a ''Jack'' on the Scottish Government's Marine Patrol Vessel (MPV) ''Jura''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/marine/Compliance |title=Marine and Fisheries – Compliance |access-date=28 September 2011 |publisher=Scottish Government }}</ref>  The ferry operator [[Caledonian MacBrayne]] routinely flies the Saltire as a ''Jack'' on vessels which have a bow staff, including when such vessels are underway.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.calmac.co.uk/getimage.aspx.ID-146922 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613205238/http://www.calmac.co.uk/getimage.aspx.ID-146922 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 June 2011 |title=CalMac image |access-date=1 December 2009 |publisher=CalMac }}</ref> This practice has also been observed on the [[PS Waverley|Paddle Steamer Waverley]] when operating in and around the [[Firth of Clyde]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/pictures/25.jpg |title=Waverley Excursions image |access-date=1 December 2009 |publisher=Waverley Excursions |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608124506/http://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/pictures/25.jpg |archive-date=8 June 2011  }}</ref> The practice of maritime vessels adopting the Saltire, for use as a ''jack'' or ''courtesy flag'', may lead to possible confusion in that the Saltire closely resembles the maritime [[signal flag]] '''M''', ''"MIKE"'', which is used to indicate "''My vessel is stopped; making no way.''"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=273 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211081152/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/navy_legacy_hr.asp?id=273 |url-status=dead |archive-date=11 February 2007 |title=US Navy Signal Flags |access-date=18 December 2009 |date=17 August 2009 |publisher=United States Navy}}</ref> For the benefit of Scottish [[seafarers]] 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 Scottish [[Red Ensign]].{{citation needed|date=September 2020}} Despite having last been used officially by the pre-[[Acts of Union 1707|Union]] [[Royal Scots Navy]] and merchant marine fleets in the 18th century,<ref>{{cite book|title=Flags at sea: a guide to the flags flown at sea by British and some foreign ...|publisher=HMSO|isbn=0-11-290389-4 |year=1986|first=Timothy|last=Wilson|author2=National Maritime Museum (Great Britain)|quote=Scottish red ensign 17th-18th century|page=66}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=0mUTAAAAYAAJ&q=%22scottish+red+ensign%22 Google Books] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160424193959/https://books.google.com/books?id=0mUTAAAAYAAJ&q=%22scottish+red+ensign%22&dq=%22scottish+red+ensign%22&lr=&as_brr=0&client=firefox-a&cd=6 |date=24 April 2016 }}</ref> the flag continues to be produced by flag manufacturers<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.duncanyacht.co.uk/showpartnumber.asp?CategoryID=2558&PartNumberID=302707 |title=1yd Scottish Ensign |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=www.duncanyacht.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402124540/http://www.duncanyacht.co.uk/showpartnumber.asp?CategoryID=2558&PartNumberID=302707 |archive-date=2 April 2012  }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scottishflagtrust.com/AboutFlagssheet.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716020145/http://www.scottishflagtrust.com/AboutFlagssheet.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=16 July 2011 |title=Supply of Flags |access-date=19 December 2009 |date=n.d. |work=PDF, Proper use of the Saltire |publisher=The Scottish Flag Trust}}</ref> and its unofficial use by private citizens on water has been observed.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.scotsindependent.org/features/orgs/images/red_ensign.jpg |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081121115618/http://www.scotsindependent.org/features/orgs/images/red_ensign.jpg |url-status=usurped |archive-date=21 November 2008 |title=The Scottish Flag Trust: "Scottish Red Ensign" (.jpg image) |access-date=18 December 2009 |publisher=Scots Independent Newspaper }}</ref>

==Incorporation into the Union Flag==
{{Main|Union Jack}}
{{See also|Flag of England}}

The Saltire is one of the key components of the [[Union Flag]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/saltire/saltire.html |title=Saint Andrew and his flag |access-date=2 December 2009 |publisher=Scots History Online}}</ref> which, since its creation in 1606, has appeared in various forms<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/UnionJack.aspx |title=Symbols of the Monarchy: Union Jack |access-date=2 December 2009 |publisher=Royal Website |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630062430/https://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/UnionJack.aspx |archive-date=30 June 2013 }}</ref> following the Flag of Scotland and [[Flag of England]] first being merged to mark the [[Union of the Crowns]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flaginstitute.org/index.php?location=7 |title=British flags |access-date=14 December 2009 |last=Bartram |first=Graham |date=18 October 2008 |publisher=The Flag Institute}}</ref> an event occurred in 1603 when [[James I of England|James VI, King of Scots]], acceded to the thrones of both [[Kingdom of England|England]] and [[Kingdom of Ireland|Ireland]] upon the death of [[Elizabeth I of England]]. The [[proclamation]] by King James, made on 12 April 1606, which led to the creation of the Union Flag states:

{{blockquote|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 the [[Flag of England|Red Crosse]], commonly called [[St. George's Cross|St. George's Crosse]], and the White Crosse, commonly called St. Andrew's Crosse, joyned together according to the forme made by our [[herald]]s, 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.|sign=Proclamation of James VI, King of Scots: Orders in Council – 12 April 1606.<ref>{{cite book|last=Fox-Davies|first=Arthur Charles|author-link=Arthur Charles Fox-Davies|title=The Art of Heraldry: An Encyclopædia of Armory|publisher=Bloomsbury Books|location=London|year=1904 |orig-year=1986|page=399|isbn=0-906223-34-2}}</ref>}}

However, in objecting strongly to the form and pattern of Union Flag designed by the [[College of Arms]] and approved by King James, whereby the cross of [[Saint George]] surmounted that of Saint Andrew, regarded in Scotland as a slight upon the Scottish nation, a great number of [[shipmaster]]s and [[ship-owner]]s in Scotland took up the matter with [[John Erskine, Earl of Mar (1558–1634)|John Erskine, 19th Earl of Mar]], and encouraged him to send a letter of complaint, dated 7 August 1606, to James VI, via the [[Privy Council of Scotland]], stating:

{{blockquote|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.|sign=Letter from the Privy Council of Scotland to James VI, King of Scots – 7 August 1606.<ref>{{cite book |last=Perrin |first=William G|title=British Flags; Their Early History and their Development at Sea, with an Account of the Origin of the Flag as a National Device |url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.169115 |year=1922 |publisher=Oxford University Press |page=[https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.169115/page/n247 207]}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=mtc8AAAAIAAJ Google Books]</ref>}}

[[File:BeaumontScottishUnionFlag.png|thumb|right|alt=White saltire clearly visible over white-bordered red cross on blue background.|Flag depicted in ''The 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 1834 [[Burning 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 most [[Vexillology|vexillologists]] to have been ''unofficial'', there is reason to believe that such flags were employed during the 17th century for use on Scottish vessels at sea.<ref>{{cite book |last=Bartram |first=Graham |title=British Flags & Emblems |year=2005 |publisher=Flag Institute/Tuckwell |page=122}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=TD1mAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Scottish+Union+Flag%22 Google books: ''"Unofficial 1606 Scottish Union Flag"''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822143725/https://books.google.com/books?id=TD1mAAAAMAAJ&q=%22Scottish+Union+Flag%22&dq=%22Scottish+Union+Flag%22&pgis=1 |date=22 August 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Crampton |first=William |title=Flags of the World |year=1992}}</ref><ref name="Smith 1973">{{cite book |last=Smith |first=Whitney |title=The Flag Bulletin |year=1973 |publisher=Flag Research Center}}</ref> This flag's design is also described in the 1704 edition of ''The Present State of the Universe'' by John Beaumont, Junior, which contains as an appendix ''The Ensigns, Colours or Flags of the Ships at Sea: Belonging to The several Princes and States in the World''.<ref>{{cite book |last=Beaumont |first=John |title=The Present State of the Universe: Or an Account of I. The Rise, Births, Names, ... of All the Present Chief Princes of the World. ... |year=1704 |orig-year=First published 1701) |publisher=Benj. Motte, and are to be sold by [[John Nutt (printer)|John Nutt]], 1704 |page=164}}</ref>

[[File:Edinburgh Castle John Slezer.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|left|alt=Engraving of a castle on top of a steep hill, above the title "The North East View of Edinburgh Castle". On the castle flies a large Union Flag with Scottish saltire part of flag most visible.|[[John Slezer|Slezer's]] [[Edinburgh Castle]] {{Circa|1693}} with Scottish Union Flag above the Royal apartments<ref>[http://www.nls.uk/slezer/engraving.cfm?sl=59 National Library of Scotland] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225215448/http://www.nls.uk/slezer/engraving.cfm?sl=59 |date=25 February 2009 }}, Slezer's Scotland. Accessed 4 July 2010</ref>]]

On land, evidence suggesting use of this flag appears in the depiction of [[Edinburgh Castle]] by [[John Slezer]], in his series of [[engraving]]s entitled ''Theatrum Scotiae'', {{Circa|1693}}. Appearing in later editions of ''Theatrum Scotiae'', the ''North East View of Edinburgh Castle'' engraving depicts the ''[[Scotch (adjective)|Scotch]]'' (to use the appropriate adjective of that period) version of the Union Flag flying from the Castle Clock Tower.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://digital.nls.uk/slezer/engraving.cfm?sl=59 |title=Slezer's Scotland |access-date=8 September 2010 |publisher=National Library of Scotland}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |author=John Slezer, Robert Sibbald and Abel Swall |title=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 ... |year=1693 |publisher=John Leake |page=114}}</ref> 

A reduced view of this engraving, with the flag similarly detailed, also appears on the ''Plan of Edenburgh, Exactly Done''.<ref name='Slezer - Edenburgh, Exactly Done'>{{cite web|url=http://digital.nls.uk/slezer/engraving.cfm?sl=70 |title=Slezer's Scotland |access-date=8 September 2010 |publisher=National Library of Scotland}}</ref> However, on the engraving entitled ''North 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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://maps.nls.uk/slezer/view/?sl=58 |title=Slezer's Scotland |access-date=8 September 2010 |publisher=National Library of Scotland}}</ref> The reduced version of the ''North Prospect ...'', as shown on the ''Plan of Edenburgh, Exactly Done'', does however display the undivided arm of a saltire and is thereby suggestive of the Scottish variant.<ref name="Slezer - Edenburgh, Exactly Done"/>
[[File:Union Jack 1606 Scotland.svg|thumb|{{FIAV|alternate}} ''"Scots union flag as said to be used by the Scots."''<ref name="de Burton"/>]]
On 17 April 1707, just two weeks prior to the [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]] coming into effect, Sir Henry St George, [[Garter King of Arms]], presented several designs to [[Anne, Queen of Great Britain|Queen Anne]] and her [[Privy Council]] for consideration as the flag of the soon to be unified [[Kingdom 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''".<ref name='de Burton'>{{cite news |first=Simon |last=de Burton|title=How Scots lost battle of the standard |date=9 November 1999 |publisher=Johnston Press plc |url=http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1P2-18715263.html|work=The Scotsman|access-date=30 June 2009}}{{dead link|date=September 2018|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} ''Partial view at [http://www.encyclopedia.com/ Encyclopedia.com] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161108025215/http://www.encyclopedia.com/ |date=8 November 2016 }}''</ref> However, Queen Anne and her Privy Council approved Sir Henry's original effort (pattern "one") showing the Cross of Saint George uppermost.<ref name="de Burton"/>

From 1801, in order to symbolise the union of the Kingdom of Great Britain with the [[Kingdom of Ireland]] a new design, which included the [[St Patrick's Cross]], was adopted for the flag of the [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb-hist.html |title=United Kingdom – History of the Flag |access-date=2 December 2009 |publisher=Flags of the World}}</ref> A manuscript compiled from 1785 by William Fox, and in possession of the [[Flag 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.<ref>{{cite book|last=Smith |first=Whitney |title=The Flag Bulletin |year=1973 |publisher=Flag Research Center}}</ref>

Despite its unofficial and historic status the Scottish Union Flag continues to be produced by flag manufacturers,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flyingcolours.org/gallery-items.php?galleryID=32 |title=Unofficial Scottish Union 1606 Flag |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=Flying Colours Flagmakers}}</ref> and its unofficial use by private citizens on land has been observed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/30178831@N02/3589637303/ |title=Scottish Union (.jpg image) |date=31 May 2009 |access-date=16 September 2011 |publisher=boonjiepam (Flickr)}}</ref> In 2006 historian [[David R. Ross]] called for Scotland to once again adopt this design in order to "reflect separate national identities across the UK".<ref>{{cite news |first=George |last=Mair|title=Let's have a Scottish version of Union flag, says historian|date=21 June 2006 |url=http://news.scotsman.com/standrewscross/Lets-have-a-Scottish-version.2785666.jp |work=The Scotsman|access-date=5 May 2009}}</ref> However, the 1801 design of the Union Flag remains the [[Flag of the United Kingdom|official flag]] of the entire [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/UnionJack.aspx |title=Union Jack |access-date=8 September 2010 |publisher=The official website of the British Monarchy |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630062430/https://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/UnionJack.aspx |archive-date=30 June 2013 }}</ref>

<gallery perrow="5">
File:Scottish Union Flag - detail.JPG|[[Union Flag#Scottish Union Flag|Scottish Union Flag]]. An unofficial variant used in the [[Kingdom of Scotland]] during the 17th century, following the [[Union of the Crowns]] in 1603.
File:Châté Lîzabé Couleu d'la Grande Brétangne c (reverse).jpg|Union Flag used in the [[Kingdom of England]] from 1606 and, following the [[Acts of Union 1707|Acts of Union]], the flag of the [[Kingdom of Great Britain]] from 1707 to 1800.
File:Union flag.jpg|Union Flag since 1801, including the [[Cross of Saint Patrick]], following the [[Act of Union 1800|Act of Union]] between the Kingdom of Great Britain and [[Kingdom of Ireland]].
File:Union Flag and St Georges Cross.jpg|[[Flag of the United Kingdom]], (''Union Flag since 1801''), flying alongside the [[Flag of England]]; the [[St George's Cross|Cross of Saint George]].
</gallery>

==Related flags==
{{See also|List of Scottish flags}}
The flag of the [[Church of Scotland]] is the flag of Scotland defaced with the [[burning bush]].

Several flags outside of the United Kingdom are based on the Scottish saltire. In Canada, an inverse representation of the flag (i.e. a blue saltire on a white field), combined with the shield from the [[Royal coat of arms of Scotland|royal arms of the Kingdom of Scotland]], forms the modern [[Flag of Nova Scotia|flag of the province of Nova Scotia]]. Nova Scotia (Latin for "New Scotland") was the first [[Scottish colonization of the Americas|colonial venture of the Kingdom of Scotland]] in the Americas.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gov.ns.ca/cmns/flagspublic.asp |title=Public Flag, Tartan Images |access-date=9 December 2009 |date=29 May 2007 |publisher=Communications Nova Scotia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091202225111/http://www.gov.ns.ca/cmns/flagspublic.asp |archive-date=2 December 2009 }}</ref> By contrast, the saltire logo of [[St. Andrew's First Aid]] is red on white rather than white on blue, in  alteration of the [[Emblems of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement|Red Cross]]. Also, the Colombian department of the [[Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina]] uses a pale-blue version because the name of principal island (''San Andrés'', Saint Andrew), though also by the first settlers from Scottish origin.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Herrera|first=Tatiana |display-authors=etal |url=https://issuu.com/cayamrl/docs/wen_san_andres_05_13_2_c68e124c325ae9|title=Monografía Breve del Archipiélago de San Andrés, Providencia y Santa Catalina|publisher=independent edition|year=2019|isbn=9789584865021|location=Bogotá|pages=82–83|language=es}}</ref>

The [[Netherlands|Dutch]] municipality of [[Sint-Oedenrode]], named after the Scottish princess [[Saint Oda]], uses a version of the flag of Scotland, defaced with a gold castle having on both sides a battlement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sint-oedenrode.nl/sint-oedenrode.aspx |title=Gemeentevlag |access-date=11 December 2009 |publisher=Gemeente Sint-Oedenrode |language=nl }} {{Dead link|date=April 2012|bot=H3llBot}}</ref>

<gallery>
File:Flag of the Church of Scotland.svg|Flag of the [[Church of Scotland]]
File:Flag of Stirling.svg|Flag of [[Stirling]]
File:Flag of the University of Edinburgh.svg|Flag of the [[University of Edinburgh]]
File:Royal Regiment of Scotland Flag.PNG|Regimental flag of the [[Royal Regiment of Scotland]]
File:National Scottish Antarctic Expedition Flag.svg|Flag of the [[Scottish National Antarctic Expedition]] (1902–1904)
File:James Wordie's sledge flag.svg|Sledge flag brought by [[James Wordie]] on the [[Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition]] (1914–1917)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fotw.info/flags/gb%5Esled.html#shackwordie |title=United Kingdom: Sledge Flags - James Wordie's flag |author=David Prothero |date=27 December 2003 |work=Flags of the World |access-date=16 April 2025}}</ref>
File:Flag of Saint Andrew Parish, Bailiwick of Guernsey.gif|Flag of [[Saint Andrew, Guernsey]]
File:Australian Scottish-heritage flag.svg|Flag of the [[Scottish Australian]] Heritage Council, Australia
File:Flag of Scotland Island.svg|Flag of [[Scotland Island]], New South Wales, Australia
File:Flag of Nova Scotia.svg|[[Flag of Nova Scotia|Provincial flag of Nova Scotia]], Canada
File:Sint-Oedenrode vlag.svg|Flag of [[Sint-Oedenrode]], Netherlands
File:Flag of San Andrés y Providencia.svg|Flag of the [[Archipelago of San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina]] department in [[Colombia]].
</gallery>

==Royal Standard of Scotland==
{{Main|Royal Standard of Scotland}}
{{See also|Royal Standard of the United Kingdom}}
[[File:Lionrampant.svg|thumb|[[Royal Standard of Scotland]]]]

The ''Royal Standard of Scotland'', also known as the ''Banner of the King of Scots''<ref>{{cite book |last=Innes of Learney |first=Sir Thomas |title=Scots heraldry: a practical handbook on the historical principles and modern application of the art and science |year=1934 |publisher=Oliver and Boyd |page=186}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=-7UrAAAAIAAJ&q=Banner+of+the+king+of+scots ''Google Books''] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511193431/https://books.google.com/books?cd=1&id=-7UrAAAAIAAJ&dq=Scots+heraldry%3A+a+practical+handbook&q=Banner+of+the+king+of+scots |date=11 May 2016 }}</ref> or more commonly the ''Lion Rampant of Scotland'',<ref>{{cite book |last =Tytler, Patrick F |author-link =Patrick Fraser Tytler |title=History of Scotland Volume 2, 1149–1603 |year=1845 |publisher=William Tait |page=433}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=RtJJAAAAMAAJ&q=Lion+Rampant Google Books] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160528172442/https://books.google.com/books?id=RtJJAAAAMAAJ&q=Lion+Rampant+of+Scotland#v=snippet&q=Lion%20Rampant&f=false |date=28 May 2016 }}</ref> is the Scottish Royal Banner of Arms.<ref name="lyon2" /> Used historically by the [[King of Scotland|King of Scots]], the Royal Standard of Scotland differs from Scotland's national flag, the Saltire, in that its correct use is restricted by an [[Act of Parliament|Act]] of the [[Parliament of Scotland]] to only a few [[Great Officer of State|Great Officers of State]] who officially represent [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|The Sovereign]] in Scotland.<ref name="lyon2">{{cite web |url=http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/237.html |title=The "Lion Rampant" Flag |access-date=10 October 2008 |publisher=The Court of the Lord Lyon |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605030445/http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/237.html |archive-date=5 June 2011 |url-status=dead  }} pointing at the [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/aosp/1672/47/paragraph/p1 Lyon King of Arms Act 1672, c. 47] and the [http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/30-31/17 Lyon King of Arms Act 1867, 30 & 31 Vict. cap. 17]</ref> However, a 1934 [[Royal warrant (document)|Royal Warrant]] for [[George V]]'s [[silver jubilee]] which authorised waving of hand-held versions continues to be relied upon by fans at sports events and other public occasions.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.djmcgeachie.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=60&sid=8a73745574828ff4e1edcebf28785078 |title=The Lion Rampant & Heraldry |access-date=28 August 2009 |publisher=The McGeachie Surname Forum |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301181901/http://www.djmcgeachie.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=60&sid=8a73745574828ff4e1edcebf28785078 |archive-date=1 March 2012  }}</ref> It is also used in an official capacity at [[List of British royal residences|Royal residences]] in Scotland when the Sovereign is not present.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/UnionJack.aspx |title=Union Jack |access-date=28 August 2009 |publisher=The Royal Household |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130630062430/https://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/UnionJack.aspx |archive-date=30 June 2013 }}</ref>

==In Unicode==
[[File:Twemoji12 1f3f4-e0067-e0062-e0073-e0063-e0074-e007f.svg|thumb|Flag of Scotland in the [[Twemoji]] typeface, as it appears on [[Twitter|X]]]]

In 2017, the [[Unicode Consortium]] approved [[emoji]] support for the flag of Scotland, alongside the flags of [[Flag of England|England]] and [[Flag of Wales|Wales]], in Unicode version 10.0 and Emoji version 5.0.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-36985749 |title=Wales flag emoji decision awaited |last=Thomas |first=Huw |date=5 August 2016 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 October 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/01/27/emoji-england-scotland-wales-flags-released-year/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/01/27/emoji-england-scotland-wales-flags-released-year/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Emoji for England, Scotland and Wales flags to be released this year |last=Titcomb |first=James |date=2017 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=18 October 2018 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> This was following a proposal from [[Jeremy Burge]] of [[Emojipedia]] and Owen Williams of [[BBC Cymru Wales|BBC Wales]] in March 2016,<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-wales-36985749 |title=Wales flag emoji decision awaited |last=Thomas |first=Huw |date=5 August 2016 |work=BBC News |access-date=18 October 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/01/27/emoji-england-scotland-wales-flags-released-year/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/01/27/emoji-england-scotland-wales-flags-released-year/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Emoji for England, Scotland and Wales flags to be released this year |last=Titcomb |first=James |date=2017 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=18 October 2018 }}{{cbignore}}</ref> 

The flag is implemented using the [[regional indicator symbol]] sequence {{mono|GB-SCT}}, so 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 requires a total of 7&nbsp;code points: {{unichar|1F3F4}} {{unichar|E0067}} {{unichar|E0062}} {{unichar|E0073}} {{unichar|E0063}} {{unichar|E0074}} {{unichar|E007F}}.<ref>[https://emojipedia.org/flag-scotland "Flag:Scotland"] Emojipedia</ref> 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".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/11/flags-england-wales-scotland-given-thumbs-emoji-chiefs/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/12/11/flags-england-wales-scotland-given-thumbs-emoji-chiefs/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Flags of England, Wales and Scotland given thumbs up by emoji chiefs |date=11 December 2016 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=18 October 2018 }}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Gallery==
<gallery>
File:Flag of Scotland.jpg|The Saltire, the national flag of Scotland: a white (''[[argent]]'') saltire on a blue (''[[Azure (heraldry)|azure]]'') field.
File:Flags outside Parliament.jpg|The [[Flag of the United Kingdom]], Flag of Scotland and [[Flag of Europe]] at the [[Scottish Parliament Building]].
File:Slag om Grolle 2008-1 - Linie van Staatse troepen vuurt.jpg|The Scottish Red Ensign at a [[historical reenactment]] of the [[Slag om Grolle|Battle for Grolle]].
File:The Saltire - geograph.org.uk - 718800.jpg|A variety of Saltires at [[Murrayfield Stadium]]; the national stadium of [[Rugby Union in Scotland]].
File:Flags of Scotland-England border.jpg|Three flags of Scotland marking the [[Anglo-Scottish Border]].
File:Highland Games-Opening ceremonies in Canmore.jpg|The flag of Scotland and [[flag of Canada]] at the [[Canmore, Alberta|Canmore]] [[Highland Games]].
File:Hampden_Park_WP_EN.JPG|The flag of Scotland seating design at [[Hampden Park|Hampden Park Stadium]]; the national stadium of [[Football in Scotland]].
File:Replica Covenanter flag, National Museum of Scotland.JPG|A replica 17th-century [[Covenanter|Covenanters']] flag.
File:The flag at North Berwick Golf Course - geograph.org.uk - 1523656.jpg|A [[Defacement (flag)|defaced]] Saltire belonging to the [[Bass Rock]] [[golf]] club, [[North Berwick]].
File:Carrying the Royal Burgh Flag on Peat Hill - geograph.org.uk - 1354482.jpg|The defaced Saltire of the [[Royal Burgh]] of [[Selkirk, Scottish Borders|Selkirk]] leading the [[Common Riding]].
File:Scottish Flag.jpg|The flag of Scotland (2:3 proportion)
File:Saltire.jpg|The flag of Scotland (1:2 proportion)
</gallery>

==See also==
{{Portal|Heraldry|Scotland}}
* [[List of Scottish flags]]
* [[Royal coat of arms of Scotland]]
* [[Bearer of the National Flag of Scotland]]
* [[List of British flags]]
* [[Flags of Europe]]
* [[Flag of Quebec]]
* [[Flag of Tenerife]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Flags of Scotland}}

* [http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/gb-scotl.html Flag of Scotland] at Flags of the World
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110605020055/http://www.lyon-court.com/lordlyon/CCC_FirstPage.jsp The Court of the Lord Lyon website]
* [http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/People/royal-ceremonial/flag-guidance Flag Flying Guidance website] at The Scottish Government website
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130916085046/http://www.nas.gov.uk/about/051124.asp Saint Andrew] in the National Archives of Scotland
* [http://www.visitscotland.com/about/arts-culture/uniquely-scottish/saltire The Saltire] at ''VisitScotland''
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20050914144924/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/petitions/docs/PE512.htm Petition Number 512]

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[[Category:Bicolor flags|Scotland]]
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