List of Scottish flags
Encyclopedia
This is a list of flags that are used exclusively in Scotland. Other flag
s used in Scotland
, as well as the rest of the United Kingdom
can be found at list of British flags.
Flag
A flag is a piece of fabric with a distinctive design that is usually rectangular and used as a symbol, as a signaling device, or decoration. The term flag is also used to refer to the graphic design employed by a flag, or to its depiction in another medium.The first flags were used to assist...
s used in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, as well as the rest of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
can be found at list of British flags.
National Flag
| Flag | |Use | Flag of Scotland Flag of Scotland The Flag of Scotland, , also known as Saint Andrew's Cross or the Saltire, is the national flag of Scotland. As the national flag it is the Saltire, rather than the Royal Standard of Scotland, which is the correct flag for all individuals and corporate bodies to fly in order to demonstrate both... , also known as the Saint Andrew Saint Andrew Saint Andrew , called in the Orthodox tradition Prōtoklētos, or the First-called, is a Christian Apostle and the brother of Saint Peter. The name "Andrew" , like other Greek names, appears to have been common among the Jews from the 3rd or 2nd century BC. No Hebrew or Aramaic name is recorded for him... 's Cross or The Saltire | A white saltire Saltire A saltire, or Saint Andrew's Cross, is a heraldic symbol in the form of a diagonal cross or letter ex . Saint Andrew is said to have been martyred on such a cross.... on a sky blue field |
|---|
Royal Flags
| Flag | |Use | United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... used in Scotland | A banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom The Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom is the official coat of arms of the British monarch, currently Queen Elizabeth II. These arms are used by the Queen in her official capacity as monarch of the United Kingdom, and are officially known as her Arms of Dominion... used exclusively in Scotland by the sovereign Sovereign A sovereign is the supreme lawmaking authority within its jurisdiction.Sovereign may also refer to:*Monarch, the sovereign of a monarchy*Sovereign Bank, banking institution in the United States*Sovereign... . An alternative form is used elsewhere. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 – | Standard of the Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch.... |
A banner of the Coat of Arms of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh is the husband of Elizabeth II. He is the United Kingdom's longest-serving consort and the oldest serving spouse of a reigning British monarch.... ; 1st quarter representing Denmark Coat of arms of Denmark The royal coat of arms is more complex. The shield is quartered by a silver cross fimbriated in red, derived from the Danish flag, the Dannebrog. The first and fourth quarters represent Denmark by three crowned lions passant accompanied by nine hearts; the second quarter contains two lions passant... , 2nd quarter Greece National emblem of Greece The national emblem of Greece , also known as the coat of arms of Greece, consists of a blue escutcheon with a white cross totally surrounded by two laurel branches... , 3rd quarter the Mountbatten Mountbatten Mountbatten is the family name originally adopted by a branch of the Battenberg family due to rising anti-German sentiment among the British public during World War I... family, 4th quarter Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area... . |
|
| – | Royal Standard of Scotland Royal Standard of Scotland The Royal Standard of Scotland, , also known as the Banner of the King of Scots, or more commonly the Lion Rampant of Scotland, is the Scottish Royal Banner of Arms... |
A banner of the ancient Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland Royal coat of arms of Scotland The royal coat of arms of Scotland was the official coat of arms of the monarchs of Scotland, and was used as the official coat of arms of the Kingdom of Scotland until the Acts of Union of 1707... , now officially used in Scotland by representatives of the sovereign, including the First Minister of Scotland First Minister of Scotland The First Minister of Scotland is the political leader of Scotland and head of the Scottish Government. The First Minister chairs the Scottish Cabinet and is primarily responsible for the formulation, development and presentation of Scottish Government policy... (as keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland Great Seal of Scotland The Great Seal of Scotland allows the monarch to authorise official documents without having to sign each document individually. Wax is melted in a metal mould or matrix and impressed into a wax figure that is attached by cord or ribbon to documents that the monarch wishes to make official... ), the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland The Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is the British Sovereign's personal representative to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland , reflecting the Church's role as the national church of Scotland, and the Sovereign's role as protector and member of... , the Lord Lyon King of Arms Lord Lyon King of Arms The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the head of Lyon Court, is the most junior of the Great Officers of State in Scotland and is the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry in that country, issuing new grants of arms, and serving as the judge of the Court of the Lord Lyon, the oldest... , and Lord Lieutenant Lord Lieutenant The title Lord Lieutenant is given to the British monarch's personal representatives in the United Kingdom, usually in a county or similar circumscription, with varying tasks throughout history. Usually a retired local notable, senior military officer, peer or business person is given the post... s within their lieutenancies. This flag is also used at the royal residences of Holyrood Palace Holyrood Palace The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the monarch in Scotland. The palace stands at the bottom of the Royal Mile in Edinburgh, at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle... and Balmoral Castle Balmoral Castle Balmoral Castle is a large estate house in Royal Deeside, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. It is located near the village of Crathie, west of Ballater and east of Braemar. Balmoral has been one of the residences of the British Royal Family since 1852, when it was purchased by Queen Victoria and her... when the sovereign is not present. |
|
| Standard of the Duke of Rothesay Duke of Rothesay Duke of Rothesay was a title of the heir apparent to the throne of the Kingdom of Scotland before 1707, of the Kingdom of Great Britain from 1707 to 1801, and now of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.... . |
The Royal Standard of Scotland defaced Defacement (flag) Defacement is a term used in heraldry and vexillology to refer to the addition of a symbol or charge to another flag. For example, the Australian flag is the British Blue Ensign defaced with the Southern Cross in the fly and the Commonwealth Star in the lower hoist quarter, beneath the Union... with a label Label (heraldry) In heraldry, a label is a charge resembling the strap crossing the horse’s chest from which pendants are hung. It is usually a mark of difference, but has sometimes been borne simply as a charge in its own right.... of three points. |
||
| 1974– | Personal banner of the 23rd Duke of Rothesay | The personal banner of the current Duke, His Royal Highness The Prince Charles Charles, Prince of Wales Prince Charles, Prince of Wales is the heir apparent and eldest son of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Since 1958 his major title has been His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. In Scotland he is additionally known as The Duke of Rothesay... . The arms are based upon those of the Chief of Clan Stewart of Appin Clan Stewart of Appin Clan Stewart of Appin is a west highland branch of the Clan Stewart and have been considered a distinct clan since the 15th century. They are descended from Sir James Stewart of Perston, who was himself the grandson of Alexander Stewart, 4th High Steward of Scotland... , and represent in the 1st and 4th quarters the title of Great Steward of Scotland whilst the 2nd and 3rd quarters represent the title of Lord of the Isles Lord of the Isles The designation Lord of the Isles is today a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It emerged from a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of... . In the centre, to difference the arms from those of Appin, is placed an escutcheon bearing the arms of the heir apparent Heir apparent An heir apparent or heiress apparent is a person who is first in line of succession and cannot be displaced from inheriting, except by a change in the rules of succession.... to the King of Scots. |
|
| 2011- | Standard of the Earl of Strathearn Earl of Strathearn The Mormaer of Strathearn or Earl of Strathearn was a provincial ruler in medieval Scotland. Of unknown origin, the mormaers are attested for the first time in a document perhaps dating to 1115. The first known mormaer, Maol Íosa I is mentioned by Ailred of Rievaulx as leading native Scots in the... . |
The Standard of His Royal Highness Prince William, namely the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in Scotland, defaced with a label of three points, the centre point bearing a red scallop. | |
| 1986- | Standard of the Earl of Inverness Earl of Inverness The title of Earl of Inverness was first created in 1718 in the Jacobite Peerage of Scotland by James Francis Edward Stuart for the Honourable John Hay of Cromlix, third son of the 7th Earl of Kinnoull, but became extinct upon the death of the grantee in 1740.It has been created several times in ... . |
The Standard of His Royal Highness The Prince Andrew Prince Andrew, Duke of York Prince Andrew, Duke of York KG GCVO , is the second son, and third child of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh... , namely the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in Scotland defaced with a label of three points, the centre point bearing a blue anchor. |
|
| 1999- | Standard of the Earl of Wessex Earl of Wessex The title Earl of Wessex has been created twice in British history, once in the pre-Conquest Anglo-Saxon nobility of England and once in the Peerage of the United Kingdom... used in Scotland. |
The Standard of His Royal Highness The Prince Edward Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex KG GCVO is the third son and fourth child of Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh... , namely the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in Scotland defaced with a label of three points, the centre point bearing a Tudor Rose Tudor rose The Tudor Rose is the traditional floral heraldic emblem of England and takes its name and origins from the Tudor dynasty.-Origins:... . |
|
| 1987- | Standard of the Princess Royal Princess Royal Princess Royal is a style customarily awarded by a British monarch to his or her eldest daughter. The style is held for life, so a princess cannot be given the style during the lifetime of another Princess Royal... used in Scotland |
The Standard of Her Royal Highness The Princess Anne Anne, Princess Royal Princess Anne, Princess Royal , is the only daughter of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh... , namely the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in Scotland defaced with a label of three points, the first and third points bearing a St George's Cross St George's Cross St George's Cross is a red cross on a white background used as a symbolic reference to Saint George. The red cross on white was associated with St George from medieval times.... , the centre point bearing a red heart. |
Counties, Regions, and Cities
| Flag | |Use | Aberdeen Aberdeen Aberdeen is Scotland's third most populous city, one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas and the United Kingdom's 25th most populous city, with an official population estimate of .... | Three white/grey castles on a red field, a heraldic flag Heraldic flag In heraldry and vexillology, an heraldic flag is any of several types of flags, containing coats of arms, heraldic badges, or other devices, used for personal identification.... taken from the city council's coat of arms Coat of arms A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth... . |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flag of Angus Angus Angus is one of the 32 local government council areas of Scotland, a registration county and a lieutenancy area. The council area borders Aberdeenshire, Perth and Kinross and Dundee City... |
A heraldic flag Heraldic flag In heraldry and vexillology, an heraldic flag is any of several types of flags, containing coats of arms, heraldic badges, or other devices, used for personal identification.... derived from the arms of Angus Council, consisting of four quarters containing a red crowned lion passant, a gold cinquefoil, a blue-white checked strip crossed with buckled red belt, and a depiction of the heart of Robert the Bruce to represent the four ancient earldoms of Angus. |
||
| Flag of Edinburgh Edinburgh Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area... |
A heraldic flag Heraldic flag In heraldry and vexillology, an heraldic flag is any of several types of flags, containing coats of arms, heraldic badges, or other devices, used for personal identification.... derived from the arms of Edinburgh Council. |
||
| Flag of the Outer Hebrides Outer Hebrides The Outer Hebrides also known as the Western Isles and the Long Island, is an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. The islands are geographically contiguous with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, one of the 32 unitary council areas of Scotland... (and the council area Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Comhairle nan Eilean Siar Comhairle nan Eilean Siar is the local government council for Na h-Eileanan Siar council area of Scotland.It is the only local council in Scotland to have a Gaelic-only name... ) |
|||
| 2005- (1969) | Flag of Shetland Flag of Shetland The flag of Shetland was designed by Roy Grønneberg and Bill Adams in 1969. It was unofficially created to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the transfer of the islands from Norway to the Kingdom of Scotland and the 500 years before as part of Norway.... |
Blue, with a white Scandinavian Cross. The colours of the Scottish flag. | |
| 2007– | Flag of Orkney Flag of Orkney The new official Orkney Community Flag was the winner of a public flag consultation in February and March 2007. In the flag consultation the people of Orkney were asked for their preferred design from a short list of 5, all of which had been approved by the Court of the Lord Lyon... |
Red, with a blue Scandinavian Cross outlined in yellow that extends to the edges of the flag. The colours from the Royal Standard of Scotland and the Flag of Scotland. |
Historical Flags
| Flag | |Use | Red Ensign Red Ensign The Red Ensign or "Red Duster" is a flag that originated in the early 17th century as a British ensign flown by the Royal Navy and later specifically by British merchantmen. The precise date of its first appearance is not known, but surviving receipts indicate that the Navy was paying to have such... with the Flag of Scotland in the canton | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1606–1707 | Scottish Union Flag | First Union Flag Union Flag The Union Flag, also known as the Union Jack, is the flag of the United Kingdom. It retains an official or semi-official status in some Commonwealth Realms; for example, it is known as the Royal Union Flag in Canada. It is also used as an official flag in some of the smaller British overseas... with the Flag of Scotland superior to and overlying the Flag of England Flag of England The Flag of England is the St George's Cross . The red cross appeared as an emblem of England during the Middle Ages and the Crusades and is one of the earliest known emblems representing England... |
|
| –2007 | Former (unofficial) flag of Orkney | The Cross of St Magnus Magnus Erlendsson, Earl of Orkney Saint Magnus, Earl Magnus Erlendsson of Orkney, sometimes known as Magnus the Martyr, was the first Earl of Orkney to bear that name, and ruled from 1108 to about 1115... . (An official version has now been adopted). |
|
| –2007 | Another former (unofficial) flag of Orkney | Flag based upon the coat of arms of Orkney Coat of arms of Orkney The coat of arms of Orkney was adopted on 3 March 1975 and is among the oldest of those of the Scottish Council Areas, as the Orkney Islands Council was unaffected by the 1996 local government reform... (An official version has now been adopted). |
Organisations
| Flag | |Use | Northern Lighthouse Board Northern Lighthouse Board The Northern Lighthouse Board is the General Lighthouse Authority for Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is a non-departmental public body responsible for marine navigation aids around coastal areas.-History:... | A Blue Ensign Blue Ensign The Blue Ensign is a flag, one of several British ensigns, used by certain organisations or territories associated with the United Kingdom. It is used either plain, or defaced with a badge or other emblem.... defaced with a lighthouse |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commissioner's flag of the Northern Lighthouse Board | A White Ensign White Ensign The White Ensign or St George's Ensign is an ensign flown on British Royal Navy ships and shore establishments. It consists of a red St George's Cross on a white field with the Union Flag in the upper canton.... with a pre-1801 Union Flag in the canton, defaced with a lighthouse |
||
| Ensign of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency The Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency was an Executive Agency of the Scottish Government. The SFPA is responsible for both deterring illegal fishing in Scottish waters, as well as monitoring the compliance of the fisheries industry in Scotland with the relevant Scottish and European Union laws... |
A Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency | ||
| Flag of the Church of Scotland Church of Scotland The Church of Scotland, known informally by its Scots language name, the Kirk, is a Presbyterian church, decisively shaped by the Scottish Reformation.... |
The Flag of Scotland with the burning bush Burning bush The burning bush is an object described by the Book of Exodus as being located on Mount Sinai; according to the narrative, the bush was on fire, but was not consumed by the flames, hence the name... in the centre. |