List of Scottish flags

This is a list of flags that are used exclusively in Scotland. Other flags used in Scotland, as well as the rest of the United Kingdom can be found at list of British flags.

List of UK flags

National flag
FlagDateUseDescription
Since 1385[1] (832 According to Legend)Flag of Scotland, also known as the Saint Andrew's Cross or The SaltireA white saltire on a sky blue field
A vertical white saltire on a sky blue field.

A white saltire on a Pantone 300 medium blue per Scottish National Flag Code.

Royal flags
FlagDateUseDescription
Since 1837Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in ScotlandA banner of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom used exclusively in Scotland by the sovereign. An alternative form is used elsewhere.[2]
Since 1222[3]Royal Banner of ScotlandA banner of the ancient Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland, now officially used in Scotland by representatives of the sovereign, including the First Minister of Scotland (as keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland), the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Lord Lieutenants within their lieutenancies.[2][4] This flag is also used at the royal residences of Holyrood Palace and Balmoral Castle when the sovereign is not present.
Standard of the Duke of RothesayThe Royal Banner of Scotland defaced with a label of three points.
Since 1974[5]Personal banner of the 23rd Duke of RothesayThe personal banner of the current Duke, Prince William. The arms are based upon those of the Chief of Clan Stewart of Appin, 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. In the centre, to difference the arms from those of Appin, is placed an escutcheon bearing the arms of the heir apparent to the King of Scots.[2]
Since 2022Standard of the Queen used in ScotlandThe Standard of Queen Camilla, namely the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in Scotland, impaled with the arms of her father, Bruce Shand.
Since 2018Standard of the Earl of DumbartonThe Standard of Prince Harry, namely the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in Scotland, defaced with a label of five points, the first, centre and fifth points bearing a red scallop.
Since 1986Standard of the Earl of InvernessThe Standard of Prince Andrew, 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.[2]
Since 1999Standard of the Duke of EdinburghThe Standard of Prince Edward, 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.[2]
Since 1987Standard of the Princess Royal used in ScotlandThe Standard of Princess Anne, 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, the centre point bearing a red heart.[2]

Government flags
FlagDateUseDescription
The ensign used aboard ships of the Scottish Government, such as the patrol boats of Marine ScotlandA Blue Ensign defaced with the badge of the former Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency

Counties, regions, and cities

Counties
FlagDateUseDescription
Since 2023Flag of AberdeenshireDivided gold and purple, with a white castle bearing an ancient crown, also divided purple and gold.[6]
Since 2016Flag of CaithnessBlack, with a blue Scandinavian Cross fimbriated in gold, and a galley in the upper hoist.[7]
Since 2018Flag of East Lothian (Haddingtonshire)A blue field with a gold saltire voided blue; over all a lozenge with a lion rampant.[8]
Since 2016Flag of KirkcudbrightshireA green and white quartered field bearing the Cross of St Cuthbert (from whom the county is named).[9]
Since 2007Flag of OrkneyRed, with a blue Nordic Cross outlined in yellow that extends to the edges of the flag. The colours from the Royal Standards of Scotland and of Norway and the Flag of Scotland.[7]
Since 2005 Created 1969Flag of ShetlandBlue, with a white Nordic Cross. The colours of the Scottish flag.[7]
Since 2018Flag of SutherlandWhite, with a black nordic cross and black Saltire, and a gold eight-pointed star where the crosses intersect, representing the sun rising position within the Scottish sky. The white represents the former arms of the Sutherland County Council, while the black represents dark skies and the peat of the Flow Country.[10][11]

Islands
FlagDateUseDescription
Since 2017Flag of BarraGreen, with a white Scandinavian Cross showing the ancestry of the people and places names of Barra. The green represents the green of the Barra Isles.[12]
Flag of the Outer HebridesFlag of the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Council of the Western Isles), sometimes used to represent the Outer Hebrides as a whole.
Since 2018Flag of Tiree'The Sun of Barley': green, with twelve barley stalks in a wheel pattern. The green represents the fertility of the isle and the 'barley sun' its reputation as the 'sunshine isle' and the name 'Land of Barley' (Tìr an Eòrna).[13]
Since 2017Flag of South Uist[14][15][16]A green flag bearing a blue Scandinavian Cross fimbriated in white
Since 2020Flag of Isle of SkyeBlue, with a yellow Scandinavian Cross entwined with a white circle. The flag brings together elements of the island’s Viking and Celtic heritage and depicts a birlinn boat with five oars – one for every area of the island.[17]

Local authorities, towns and cities
FlagDateUseDescription
1927Proposed flag of AngusA heraldic flag 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.[18]
2021Flag of Maryhill

Historical flags
FlagDateUseDescription
Since 1222[3]Royal Banner of ScotlandA banner of the ancient Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland, now officially used in Scotland by representatives of the sovereign, including the First Minister of Scotland (as keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland), the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, and Lord Lieutenants within their lieutenancies.[2][4] This flag is also used at the royal residences of Holyrood Palace and Balmoral Castle when the sovereign is not present.
Until 1707Scottish Red Ensign, used by the Royal Scottish NavyA Red Ensign with the Flag of Scotland in the canton.
1606–1707Scottish Union FlagFirst Union Flag with the Flag of Scotland superior to and overlying the Flag of England.
c.1617An early version of the Union Jack that appears on a painted wooden ceiling boss from Linlithgow PalaceA blue Saint Andrew's Saltire superimposed over a red Saint George's Cross on a white background.
17th-centuryScottish Covenanter flag
1698Flag of the Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies.
1715The Jacobite Standard of 1715.The Royal coat of arms of the Kingdom of Scotland with a scroll underneath bearing the motto "NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSIT" on a field of dark blue.
1745–1746Standard of Bonnie Prince Charlie, raised at Glenfinnan on 19 August 1745.A red flag, surrounded by a blue border on all sides, with a white square in the centre containing the White Rose of York.
1745–1746A representation of the Jacobite Standard said to have been used by Jacobite forces in 1745.
1944–1952Standard of Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of EdinburghThe Standard of Princess Elizabeth, Duchess of Edinburgh (prior to her accession as Queen Elizabeth II), 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 Saint George's Cross, the centre point bearing a Tudor Rose.
pre–2007Former unofficial flag of Orkney, denied formal recognition by the Lord Lyon in 2001The Cross of St Magnus. (An official flag was adopted in 2007).
2018Flag of SutherlandA swooping eagle, seen face on, against a vertical bicoloured red and yellow background, with the eagle counterchanged yellow and red; At the hoist three stars or mullets. Was originally unveiled as the Flag of Sutherland in February 2018, but was placed on hold due to backlash from residents. A public vote beginning in October 2018 led to the retirement of this flag in favour of the current design.
1952–2021Standard of Prince Philip, Duke of EdinburghA banner of the Coat of Arms of Prince Philip; 1st quarter representing Denmark, 2nd quarter Greece, 3rd quarter the Mountbatten family, 4th quarter Edinburgh.[19]
2011–2022Standard of Prince William, Earl of Strathearn.The Standard of 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.

University flags
FlagDateUseDescription
Flag of Edinburgh Napier UniversityA flag diagonally divided by white and red - white in the top and fly, red in the hoist and bottom.
Flag of the University of EdinburghA blue saltire on a white field, with a thistle in the upper quarter, a castle in the lower quarter, and an open book in the centre of the saltire. It is a banner of the University's coat of arms.
Flag of the University of Glasgow
Flag of the University of St AndrewsA banner of the University's coat of arms.

Organisations
FlagDateUseDescription
Ensign of the Northern Lighthouse Board A Blue Ensign defaced with a lighthouse
Commissioner's flag of the Northern Lighthouse Board A White Ensign with a pre-1801 Union Flag in the canton, defaced with a lighthouse
Flag of the Church of ScotlandThe flag of Scotland with the burning bush in the centre.
Flag of the Diocese of BrechinA banner of the Diocese's coat of arms.
Flag of the Scottish Republican Socialist MovementThe flag of Scotland on the left side of a red flag, with a golden Triquetra knot in the centre of the red section.
Flag of the Scottish Jacobite PartyTwo crossed white sword blades on a field of red.

Notes
  1. ""The Two Flags of Scotland"". Historic UK. Ben Johnson. The saltire appears to have become the official national flag in 1385 when the Parliament of Scotland agreed that Scottish soldiers should wear the white cross as a distinguishing mark. In such times flags and banners were important to identify opposing forces in heat of battle.
  2. Bartram, Graham. "United Kingdom Royal and vice-regal flags". Ruislip: The World Flag Database.
  3. Bartram, Graham (2009). "The Story of Scotland's Flags". The XIX International Congress of Vexillology, 23–27 July 2001, Proceedings (PDF). United Kingdom: The Flag Institute. pp. 168–171. Retrieved 23 June 2009.
  4. "The 'Lion Rampant' Flag". Edinburgh: The Court of the Lord Lyon. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 28 December 2008.
  5. British Royal Flags: Prince Charles at Flags of the World. Retrieved on 9 December 2010.
  6. Hardy, Ben (22 April 2023). "Newtonhill and Elrick pupils make history as their design becomes official Aberdeenshire flag". The Press and Journal. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  7. Bartram, Graham. "United Kingdom Sub-national flags". Ruislip: The World Flag Database.
  8. "East Lothian Flag | Free official image and info | UK Flag Registry". The Flag Institute. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  9. "Kirkcudbrightshire Flag | Free official image and info | UK Flag Registry". The Flag Institute. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  10. "Vote opens on flag for Sutherland". BBC News. 29 October 2018.
  11. "Sutherland's winning flag unfurled". BBC News. 17 December 2018. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  12. "Barra flag wins official recognition after long campaign". 23 November 2017.
  13. Flag Register particulars
  14. Registered in the UK Flags Registry
  15. Granted by the Lord Lyon
  16. Tibbetts, Philip (28 June 2017). "South Uist: a Hebridean first". The Flag Institute. Retrieved 22 May 2022.
  17. "Skye unveils official flag for island". 24 August 2020.
  18. "Council flag plan causes flutter". BBC News. 26 September 2007.
  19. "Prince Philip: What are the plans for his funeral?". BBC News. 10 April 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2021.

References

Media related to Flags of Scotland at Wikimedia Commons

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