| Long Distance Footpath | West Highland Way | Scotland UK |
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The Saltire |
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 The Saltire, the name of the National Flag of Scotland, is believed to be the oldest national flag in the world. The X shape represents the form of crucifixion of St. Andrew the patron Saint of Scotland, whom tradition says was crucified in the shape of an X. The history of the flag dates back to 832 AD and a battle at Athelstaneford, in East Lothian in Scotland, where King Angus led a force of Scots and Pict warriors to defeat a larger force of invading Angles and Saxons. The Saltire gives the blue background and the white X to the 'Union Flag', the national flag of the UK. Some have claimed that the shape of the Saltire influenced the design of the Confederate Flag used during the American Civil War, which is possible, as many in the Confederate states were of Scots descent. |
The Lion Rampant |
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The 'Lion Rampant' is Scotland's second flag; it is the flag of the Kings of Scotland and is older than the Saltire. The fierce lion representing the fierceness of the Scots in defending their lands and territories against invaders. It could be that the Lion may also be a reference to the 'Lion of the Tribe of Judah', because many Scottish kings claimed to be descended from the royal house of Israel. Robert the Bruce went so far as to write out his lineage all the way back to the Biblical King David. This flag can only be flown by Royalty or a few of their representatives, although the people are allowed to wave a hand held version, but are officially not allowed to display it from a flagpole. Recently one town in central Scotland called Cumbernauld flew the flag from the town building; they were threatened with legal action from the Government if they did not remove it. The Lion Rampant is a favourite flag for Scots to wave at football matches and international competitions. |
The Union Flag |
 The Union Flag or 'Union Jack' is not solely a flag of Scotland, but the flag of the UK, of which Scotland is a part. An early version was designed by the College of Arms in 1606 and the present design was finalised in 1801, using a combination of the flags of Scotland, England and Ireland. The blue background is from the Saltire, with the red cross of Saint George ( patron saint of England ) edged in white, superimposed on the diagonal red cross of Saint Patrick ( patron saint of Ireland ) which is superimposed on the diagonal white cross of Saint Andrew ( patron saint of Scotland ).  |
The European Flag |
 The UK is a member of the European Union, a growing confederacy of the countries of Europe. The Union started out as a trade group but the trend has been towards a greater political and economic oneness. The current EU flag ( designed by Arsene Heitz ), was officially adopted by the European Commission in 1986, but due to new countries joining in 1 May 2004 - bringing the total to 450 million people in 25 countries - the European Commission president Romano Prodi, commissioned Dutch architect Rem Koolhaas to create a new design. The proposed new flag ( which has not yet been adopted ) places all the colours of the national flags of EU nations in strips alongside each other to illustrate the diversity and unity of Europe.  |
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