List of Scottish flags facts for kids

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Northern Irish flags
Scottish flags
Welsh flags
Royal Standards

Flags are special symbols that tell a story about a country, a group, or even a family. Scotland, a country in the United Kingdom, has many unique flags. These flags show its rich history, its royal family, and its different regions. You'll find some of these flags flying high across Scotland. Others are used for special events or by certain groups.

Scotland's National Flag

The most famous flag of Scotland is called the Saltire or Saint Andrew's Cross.

Flag	When it started	What it's for	What it looks like
	Since 1385 (or even earlier, by legend)	The national flag of Scotland	A white X-shaped cross on a sky blue background.
		A vertical version of the national flag	A vertical white X-shaped cross on a sky blue background.

The Saltire has a white X-shaped cross on a blue background. This cross represents Saint Andrew, who is the patron saint of Scotland. The specific shade of blue used is called Pantone 300 medium blue.

Royal Flags of Scotland

Royal flags are special banners used by the King, Queen, and other members of the Royal Family. They often show parts of the royal coat of arms.

Flag	When it started	What it's for	What it looks like
	Since 1837	The King's flag when in Scotland	A special banner of the Royal Coat of Arms, used only in Scotland by the King.
	Since 1222	The Royal Banner of Scotland	A flag showing a red lion standing on its hind legs on a yellow background. This flag is used by people who represent the King in Scotland. It also flies at Holyrood Palace and Balmoral Castle when the King is not there.
		Flag of the Duke of Rothesay	The Royal Banner of Scotland with a small, three-pointed shape added.
	Since 1974	The personal flag of Prince William	This flag shows symbols from old Scottish families. It includes symbols for the Great Steward of Scotland and the Lord of the Isles.
	Since 2022	The Queen's flag when in Scotland	This flag combines the King's Royal Standard for Scotland with symbols from Queen Camilla's own family.

Government Flags

Some flags are used by parts of the Scottish government.

Flag	When it started	What it's for	What it looks like
		Used on Scottish Government ships	A blue flag with a special badge from the former Scottish Fisheries Protection Agency. These ships patrol the seas.

Flags of Scottish Areas

Many counties, islands, and cities in Scotland have their own flags. These flags often show local history or symbols.

Counties

Flag	When it started	What it's for	What it looks like
	Since 2023	Flag of Aberdeenshire	A gold and purple flag with a white castle and a crown.
	Since 2023	Flag of Berwickshire	A blue and green flag with a white chain in the middle. It has a silver salmon and a gold ear of barley.
	Since 2016	Flag of Caithness	A black flag with a blue cross outlined in gold. It has a ship in the top left corner.
	Since 2007	Flag of Orkney	A red flag with a blue cross outlined in yellow. Its colors come from Scottish and Norwegian royal flags.
	Since 2005	Flag of Shetland	A blue flag with a white cross. Its colors are like the Scottish flag.
	Since 2018	Flag of Sutherland	A white flag with black crosses. It has a gold star where the crosses meet. This star represents the sun.

Islands

Flag	When it started	What it's for	What it looks like
	Since 2017	Flag of Barra	A green flag with a white cross. The green shows the island's green landscape.
		Flag of the Outer Hebrides	This flag is used by the council of the Western Isles. It sometimes represents the whole Outer Hebrides.
	Since 2020	Flag of Skye	A blue flag with a yellow cross and a white circle. It shows a boat with five oars.

Local authorities, towns and cities

Flag	When it started	What it's for	What it looks like
	Since 2021	Flag of Maryhill	This flag's shape looks like a narrow boat. Red means passion, black means industry, and blue means the local rivers and canal.

Historical Flags

Scotland has a long history, and many flags have been used over the centuries. These flags tell us about important events and changes.

Flag	When it started	What it's for	What it looks like
	Until 1707	Used by the Royal Scottish Navy	A red flag with the Scottish Saltire in the top left corner.
	1606–1707	An early version of the Union Flag	This was the first Union Flag. It had the Scottish flag placed on top of the English flag.
	17th-century	Flag of the Covenanters	A flag used by a religious and political movement in Scotland.
	1715	A flag from the Jacobite rising of 1715	A dark blue flag with the old Scottish royal coat of arms. It has a motto that means "No one provokes me with impunity."
	1745–1746	Flag of Bonnie Prince Charlie	A red flag with a blue border. It has a white square in the middle with a white rose.
	Before 2007	An older unofficial flag of Orkney	This flag showed the Cross of Saint Magnus. A new official flag was chosen in 2007.

University Flags

Many universities in Scotland have their own flags. These flags often show symbols from their history or coat of arms.

Flag	When it started	What it's for	What it looks like
		Flag of Edinburgh Napier University	A flag divided diagonally into white and red sections.
		Flag of the University of Edinburgh	A white flag with a blue X-shaped cross. It has a thistle, a castle, and an open book.
		Flag of the University of St Andrews	A flag based on the university's coat of arms.

Flags of Organisations

Different organisations in Scotland also have their own flags to represent them.

Flag	When it started	What it's for	What it looks like
		Flag of the Northern Lighthouse Board	A blue flag with a lighthouse symbol. This board manages lighthouses.
		Flag of the Church of Scotland	The Scottish flag with a burning bush symbol in the middle.

Images for kids

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  Flag of Banffshire

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  Flag of Kirkcudbrightshire

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  Flag of Morayshire

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  Flag of Tiree

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  Flag of South Uist

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  Flag of Gigha

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  Flag of Great Bernera

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  Proposed flag of Angus

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  Flag of South Lanarkshire

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  An early version of the Union Jack from Linlithgow Palace

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  Flag of the Company of Scotland Trading to Africa and the Indies

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  A Jacobite Standard from 1745

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  Standard of Princess Elizabeth (1944–1952)

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  Flag of Waveland (Rockall)

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  Flag of the Scottish Jacobite Party

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  Former Flag of Sutherland (2018)

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  Standard of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh (1952–2021)

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  Standard of Prince William (2011–2022)

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  Flag of the University of Glasgow

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  Commissioner's flag of the Northern Lighthouse Board

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  Flag of the Diocese of Brechin

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  Flag of the Scottish Republican Socialist Movement

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  Standard of the Earl of Dumbarton

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  Standard of the Earl of Inverness

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  Standard of the Duke of Edinburgh

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  Standard of the Princess Royal used in Scotland

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  Flag of East Lothian