Royal Standard of Scotland

A country always has a vast number of symbols. Some are vague and more like concepts, locations or people such as Scotland’s Highlands or William Wallace. On the other hand, some symbols are more tangible like the Scottish flag or the Royal standard Of Scotland.

The Royal Standard of Scotland is traditionally used by the Scottish King as his personal banner, both as a sign of prestige and for identification on the battlefield etc. A number of variations on the Royal banner of Scotland can be seen on the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland. It is also now a central part of the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom.

The Royal Standard of Scotland consists of a yellow base, this is adorned with a lion standing rampart in the center and surrounded by a double tressure flory counter-flory. These are most predominantly a shade of red.

The first Scottish King to have adopted the Royal Standard of Scotland for his own personal use was King William I of Scotland in the early 12th century. Officially in the present day the British monarch still uses the Royal Standard of Scotland. When the Queen is not in residence in either Holyrood Palace or Balmoral Castle (the two Scottish Royal residences) the flag meant to be flown. The Scottish Royal Standard is also meant to be used by the First Minister, Lord Lieutenants in their Lieutenancies, the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Beyond these people it is officially illegal for anyone to fly the Royal Scottish Standard as it is considered property of the monarch. Although this rule is often ignored and no one has yet been charged with its illegal use. Because of this rule, the Royal Standard of Scotland only enjoys an unofficial position as Scotland’s second flag.