Why does Scotland have two flags?

Scotland has a fascinating history dating back over a thousand years, and its flag has long been a symbol of this proud nation.

But to complicate matters – there are actually two versions of Scotland’s flag. So, which one is the true flag of Scotland?

Let’s start with the flag you will see most often while travelling in Scotland, the St. Andrew’s Cross. When Saint Andrew, one of the Apostles, was being crucified by the Romans in A.D. 60, it is said that he believed himself unworthy to be crucified on a cross like that of Christ, and so he met his end on a ‘saltire’, or X-shaped cross (St. Andrew’s cross) which became his symbol.

But what is the association between Saint Andrew and Scotland? One story tells how in A.D. 345 Saint Regulus was instructed by an angel to take some relics (bones) of Saint Andrew to a far-off land. He eventually arrived in Fife on the northeast coast of Scotland, where he founded the settlement of St Andrews.

Another legend links the adoption of Saint Andrew’s cross as Scotland’s national flag. This recalls how, in 832, on the eve of a battle between a combined Picts and Scots army and an invading army of Angles led by King Aethelstan of East Anglia, Saint Andrew appeared to the Pictish king, Óengus II (Angus) and assured him of victory. The following morning a formation of clouds gathered against the backdrop of a clear blue sky, depicting a white saltire that was visible to both sides. The omen inspired the Picts and Scots to win a famous victory over the Angles of King Aethelstan and so the white cross on the blue background was adopted as the national flag of Scotland.

Fast forward to the times of Robert the Bruce, after his victory at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314, the Declaration of Arbroath officially named Saint Andrew as the patron saint of Scotland. 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 these times flags and banners were important to identify opposing forces in heat of battle.

Whilst its exact origin may have been lost in myth and legend, the flag of Scotland is generally regarded as one of the oldest national flags still in modern use.

You may notice while travelling through Scotland, that there is a second unofficial national flag. This one is commonly known as the Lion Rampant. The flag is actually the Royal Standard of the King of Queen of Scots and it remains the personal banner of the monarch; this means that its use is restricted. According to British law, yes, it is actually illegal to fly this particular flag in Scotland (unless it’s at a royal residence as mentioned). That hasn’t stopped its use though, and today the Lion Rampant is proudly waved alongside the Saltire (St. Andrews flag) at sporting events and political events and even on tourist gift shops (take a walk down Edinburgh’s Royal Mile and you will notice it). In reality, the likelihood of getting into trouble for flying the Lion Rampant is next to zero, but there have been a few occasions where businesses have been fined for using it without permission.

It is thought that it was King Richard I of England “the Lion-Heart” late in the 12th century who first introduced the symbolic rampant lion, the king of beasts, rearing up with three of its clawed paws out-stretched as if in battle. This Lion Rampant was eventually adopted as the Scottish royal coat of arms and incorporated into the Great Seal of Scotland.

While travelling around the country, you will notice both national emblems. Snap a picture and tag us @purescottishtours so we can see how many you can spot while you are here!