Flying the flag

The Highland flag

The Highlands of Scotland has a long, unique history. It is quite rightly described as one of the most scenic regions of Europe thanks to its diverse and beautiful mountains, lochs and wildlife. The Highlands has its own language in Gaelic, culture, history, sports, music and is distinctly different from the rest of Scotland. This is why many believe the area deserves its own flag to fly with pride alongside the St Andrew's Saltyre of Scotland. You can read all about the Highland flag on the www.highlandflag.org.uk website.

The Shetland flag

The flag of Shetland, commemorates the 500th anniversary of the transfer of Shetlands' islands to Scotland (from the king of Norway and Denmark). The design gives equal symbolic weight to the fact that Shetland had been part of Norway for 500 years and part of Scotland for 500 years. It takes the national colours of Scotland - blue and white - and uses them in the offset cross design common to all Scandinavian countries.

The Orkney flag

The flag - with the nickname Cross of St Magnus - has a yellow field with a red Nordic cross. St Magnus was Earl of Orkney from about 1080 and was killed by his co-ruler Hakon Palsson in 1115. He was declared a saint in 1135. Inspiration for the flag came from the flag of Shetland (above).

Flag of the Western Isles Council - Comhairle nan Eilean Siar

This flag is flown outside the council's offices in Stornoway. It is yellow with three black 'lymphads' one in each top corner and one in the bottom middle divided in the centre with a blue and white striped wavy band. Link to Comhairle nan Eilean Siar website.

The Scottish Saltyre

The Saint Andrew's cross - or Saltyre - is one of the oldest national flags of all, dating back at least to the 12th century, although the honour of the oldest flag among the modern nations generally falls to the flag of Denmark. The earliest record to the Saint Andrew's cross flag dates from 1165 AD, where reference is made to a 9th Century battle. This was known in the 16th Century, although no record of the original source remains today.  Learn more at the CRW flags website.

The Royal Arms of Scotland

The Royal Arms of Scotland are described as 'a lion rampant gules, armed and langued azure, within a double tressure flory-counter-flory of the second.'. This old Scottish flag is still valid. Strictly speaking, it should only be used by Her Majesty the Queen in her capacity as Queen of Scots. In actuality, it tends to be used as a second national flag. More at the CRW flags website.