The fifth pole is used for the Royal Standard of Scotland. The fourth flagpole is used for special occasions such as Commonwealth Day and United Nations Day. The flag of Scotland is flown every day, alongside the Union Flag and the flag of Europe. There are five flagpoles outside the Scottish Parliament Building in Edinburgh. The flag flies outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Thereafter, this saltire design in its present form became the national flag of Scotland.įlying the flag Scottish Parliament

By 1540 the legend of King Angus had been altered to include the vision of the cross against a blue sky. The earliest surviving Scottish flag consisting solely of the saltire dates from 1503: a white cross on a red background. In 1385 the Parliament of Scotland decreed that Scottish soldiers should wear a saltire as a distinguishing mark. Material evidence of the saltire's use dates from many centuries later. According to the legend, this saltire design has been the Scottish flag ever since. The Picts and Scots were heartened by this, but the Angles lost confidence and were defeated. On the following morning a white saltire against the background of a blue sky appeared to both sides. During the night Saint Andrew, who was martyred on a saltire cross, appeared to Angus and assured him of victory. King Angus and his men were surrounded and he prayed for deliverance. King Óengus (II) (or King Angus) led the Picts and Scots in battle against the Angles near modern-day Athelstaneford in East Lothian.

Light blue and white flag