Scottish Flag

Scottish Flag

 

FLAGS - NATIONS - HISTORY - GEOGRAPHY

The Flag of Scotland - Description of the Scottish Flag
  • As the above picture of the Scottish Flag indicates the overall background is Blue
  • The description of the Scottish Flag is as follows:
    • The flag of Scotland features a white X-shaped cross representing the cross of the Christian martyr Saint Andrew (Scotland's patron saint) on a blue field
  • According to Ancient and Heraldic traditions much symbolism is associated with colors. The colors on the Scottish flag represent the following:
    • White - peace and honesty
    • Blue - vigilance, truth and loyalty, perseverance & justice
 

 
 
  • The basic style shown in the picture of the Scottish flag is described as a Cross reflecting the central design of the flag pattern
  • All Flag pictures depict flags flying, from the viewer's point of view, from left to right
  • The shape and flag ratio of the Scottish flag is described as 3:5
  • The emblem on the Scottish flag pictures the cross of St. Andrew
  • The Meaning & History of the Scottish Flag
  • St. Andrew is the Patron Saint of Scotland
    • St. Andrew's's day is celebrated on November 30th
    • St. David was an early crusader for Christianity and was thought to have been a fisherman in Galilee and became a desciple of Jesus Christ, founder of the Christian religion
  • The History of the Scottish Flag and its inclusion in the British Union Jack
    • Queen Elizabeth I ruled a divided nation. As the "Virgin Queen" she named the son of Mary Queen of Scots (her cousin) as her successor
    • James VI of Scotland therefore also became James I of England and on April 12, 1606
    • The first 'Union Flag' was created by using ecclesiastical heraldry by combining the red cross of St. George of England and the saltire of St. Andrew of Scotland
    • This was not a totally accurate representation of the flags as the blue background of the Scottish national flag is a lighter "sky" blue than the dark blue used on the Union Flag
 

Canton - Flag Terminology

Flag Terminology - Did you Know ?
  • The design and description uses specific flag terminology based on Heraldic principles
  • Animal blazons should always appear with the heads facing the flag - staff side
  • The Study of the Flags is called Vexillology
  • Your interest in flags makes you a Vexillologist!
  • Increase your knowledge - Play the Flag Quiz
 
 
Scottish Flag Etiquette
  • Scottish Flag etiquette is very strict and is is essential that Flag protocols and rules are followed correctly
  • Basic Flag Etiquette applies to all nations, including Scottish as follows:
  • Etiquette relating to the order of precedence for the flag
    • National Flag of Scottish
    • State Flag of Scottish
    • Military Flag of Scottish (in order of creation date)
    • Other Flag of Scottish
  • The United Nations uses alphabetical order when presenting a national flag including the Scottish Flag. Their flag etiquette ensures that no one country's flag has precedence over another country's flag
  • The National flag of Scottish should never be flown above another national flag on the same staff as this would suggest superiority, or conversely, inferiority of one flag, or Nation, over another
  • The Scottish flag should never be allowed to drag along the ground
  • A tattered or faded flag of Scottish should be removed and replaced with a new flag
  • Due care and consideration must be taken to ensure that the Scottish flag is always flown the correct way up
  • A Flag of Scottish, when in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning in private with all due care and respect
 
Flag History & Evolution:
  • The idea of flying a flag grew from the requirements of ancient warfare and the battlefield
  • Shields were painted with emblems to identify Friend or Foe
  • Warriors needed to know where their leaders were - the custom of carrying a pole was adopted
  • An emblem such as a shield, animal or religious device was attached to the pole for identification
  • The emblems were also used for identity and to cover suits of armour - Coats of Arms  were born
  • These emblems were the forerunners of modern flags
  • The Romans were the first to use a cloth flag - they were square and fastened to cross bars at the end of spears - the idea of fastening a flag to the side of a pole soon followed
  • The strict rules of Heraldry are still used when designing an emblem and creating anew flag
 
 
Terminology & Etiquette in Scottish Flag display
  • Hoist - the act or function of raising the Scottish flag, as on a rope
  • Half Staff or Half Mast - the Scottish flag is hoisted to half of the potential height of the flag pole to denote grief and mourning
    • Performed by first raising the Scottish flag to the top, then lowering the Scottish Flag halfway
  • Distress - denoted by flying the Scottish flag upside-down
  • Manner of hoisting - The Scottish flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously
  • No disrespect should be shown to the Scottish flag
  • The Scottish flag should never be fastened, displayed, used, or stored in such a manner as to permit the Flag to be easily torn, soiled, or damaged in any way
  • The Scottish flag should never have placed upon it, nor on any part of it, nor attached to it any mark, insignia, letter, word, figure, design, picture, or drawing on the flag of any nature
  • The Scottish flag should be hoisted first and lowered last
  • International Flag relating to Scottish Flag usage forbids the display of the flag of one nation above that of another nation in time of peace
  • We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding Scottish Flag Etiquette has provided a useful resource
 

National Flags of the World Map

Scotland

Location: Western Europe, Northern
section of British Isles between
the North Atlantic Ocean and
the North Sea, northwest
of France

 
 

Scotland

  • Land Size of Scotland : 30977.59 miles
  • Climate / Weather of Scotland :  temperate; moderated by prevailing southwest winds over the North Atlantic Current; more than one-half of the days are overcast
  • Scottish Capital City: Edinburgh
  • Main Industries :  machine tools, electric power & automation equipment, railroad equipment, food processing, textiles, clothing, and other consumer goods
  • Agricultural products : cereals, oilseed, potatoes, vegetables; cattle, sheep, poultry; fish
  • Scottish Currency : British pound (GBP)
  • Main Colors of the Scottish Flag : Blue with white cross
  • The Scottish Highlands are a popular location for outdoor sports such as fishing and hunting, and there are no shortage of luxury self catering cottages in Scotland that provide you with the perfect place to relax after a tiring day in the wilderness.
 
The Celts and Ancient Scottish History
  • Bronze and Iron Age - The emergence of the Celts across Europe
  • 400BC - By this time the ancient culture of the Celts had settled in many European countries including Austria, Britain, France, Holland, Belgium, Switzerland, Western Germany, Northern Spain, Turkey and Hungary
  • The Celts were people from various tribes and were called Galli by the Romans and Galatai or Keltoi by the Greeks. These terms all had one meaning in common - barbarian
  • It is from the Greek, Keltoi, that Celt is derived
  • Despite the name of Barbarian the Celtic society was based almost entirely on pastoralism and the raising of cattle or sheep
  • 15 BC The Romans had begun to extend their empire. Gallia (in English Gaul) is the Roman name for the region of Europe occupied by the Celts. The word Gaul commonly refers to a Celt inhabitant of that region in ancient times
  • 224 - 220 BC - Rome conquered the Celts
 
 
Concise History of Scotland & its Flag
  • 55BC Julius Caesar lands in Britain
  • 80AD The Roman, Julius Agricola invades "Albion" or "Caledonia" the ancient names for Scotland
  • 84AD Celtic tribes of Caledonia unite under Calgacus but are defeated by the Romans
  • 121 - 129 Hadrian's Wall is built by the Romans
  • 397 - St Ninian brings Christianity to Scotland
  • 476 The Roman Empire collapses
  • 800 - 900s Vikings raid Scotland
  • 1005 King Malcolm II rules Scotland and defeats the Vikings at the battle of Mortlach
  • 1034 - 1040 King Duncan I
  • 1040 - 1057 Macbeth kills Duncan to become King of Scotland
  • 1272 William Wallace born
  • 1274 Robert the Bruce born
  • 1297 Scottish war of Independence led by William Wallace
  • 1298 Scots Defeated by Edward I of England
  • 1305 William Wallace executed
  • 1306 Robert the Bruce crowned King
  • 1314 Battle of Bannockburn when Robert the Bruce defeats the English and gains Scottish independence
 
  • 1371 Robert II the first Stewart King takes the throne
  • 1513 Battle of Flodden and James IV killed in battle
  • 1559 Start of the Reformation in Scotland with John Knox's sermon at Perth
  • 1561 Mary Queen of Scots returns to Scotland from France
  • 1565 Mary Queen of Scots marries Henry, Lord Darnley
  • 1567 Henry Darnley murdered
  • 1568 Mary Queen of Scots flees to England and is imprisoned by Elizabeth I. Her baby son becomes James VI of Scotland
  • 1587 Mary Queen of Scots executed at Fotheringay Castle
  • 1603 James VI of Scotland becomes James I of England bringing about the Union of the Crowns
  • 1692 The Massacre of Glencoe - The Campbells murder the MacDonald clan
  • 1707 The Act of Union is passed and Scotland is formally united with England to form Great Britain
 
 
  • 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie - Prince Charles Edward Stuart - returns to Scotland to claim the British throne
  • 1746 Battle of Culloden where the Jacobite Scots defeated and Bonnie Prince Charlie flees to France
The Scottish Flag and Nation

We hope that the presentation of facts and information regarding the Scottish Flag and Country has provided a useful educational resource. To improve your knowledge of Flags and Vexillology still further check out the Flags and Nations Index and test your knowledge with our interactive, multi-choice, picture-based Flag Trivia Quiz Game - it's fast and it's fun!

 

Scottish Flag

Scottish Flag - Picture - Information - Facts - History - Scottish Flag - Emblem - Coat of Arms - Meaning - Colors - Flag Terminolgy and Protocol  - Scottish Flag - Culture - Geography - Info - Picture - Information  - Scottish Flag - Pictures - Facts - History - Emblem - Coat of Arms - Meaning  - Scottish Flag - Colors - Flag Terminolgy and Protocol - Hoist - Fly - Canton - Scottish Flag - Culture - Geography - Info - Picture - Scottish Flag - Scottish Flag - Outdoor Flags - house Flags - Military Flags - Historical Flags - Patriotic Flags - Buy Flags - Historic Flags - National Flags - Writtn By Linda Alchin