Scottish Flag of Preference?

**Big Paul** · 9th June 06, 05:53 AM

I love the Saltire.

**JBfromBS** · 9th June 06, 06:03 AM

A vote for the Lion Rampant here, mostly because the colors are the same as my family colors. (The family shield is in my avatar)

Joe

**Woodsheal** · 9th June 06, 06:28 AM

Matt is correct. Technically,the "Lion Rampant" is only supposed to be used by the royal family. Such "rules" are universally ignored, however...!

**macwilkin** · 9th June 06, 06:47 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Matt is correct. Technically,the "Lion Rampant" is only supposed to be used by the royal family. Such "rules" are universally ignored, however...!

This is a battle that I've been fighting for years now. Matt is correct; the Lion Rampant is the flag of the Sovereign, not a national flag. When the flag is flying over a building, that means that the Sovereign is in residence. It is also used by those who represent the Sovereign, such as the Lord Lyon, The Lord High Commissioner of the Church of Scotland, etc.

One web site has this to say:

King George V signed a Royal Warrant in 1934 allowing the use of the Rampant Lion flag as "a mark of loyalty" because of the forthcoming Jubilee celebrations. The Lord Lyon officially now takes the view that this permission "related to decorative ebullition", that is, it is permissable to wave the flag at football matches. It is however not allowable to fly the flag without permission, on a flag-pole or from a building.

Our local St. Andrew's Society actually has in our by-laws that the society will not fly the Lion Rampant flag at any event, save our annual commemorations of the Battle of Bannockburn, then only as a historical display. Since we are a St. Andrew's Society, we fly the Saltire.

Now, I don't believe that one should go around and tell folks not to fly the Lion Rampant -- but if someone asks me why I do not fly one from my clan tent or from our society's tent, I am honest with them.

Some tend to get very defensive when this is brought up; I personally don't care what you fly from a staff in your front yard, but like the symbolism of tartan, one should be aware of the history, customs and traditions behind this symbol before flying it.

Regards,

Todd

**Mike1** · 9th June 06, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

This is a battle that I've been fighting for years now. Matt is correct; the Lion Rampant is the flag of the Sovereign, not a national flag.

Without trying to steer this one too far off course, the same is true for the Union flag. It is a royal flag and not a national flag. It is to be flown on government buildings on special occasions only (Commonwealth Day, Remembrance Day, St. George's Day, etc.)

I suspect there are many today that would fail to recognize the Cross of St. George as England's national flag.

**MACKAY** · 13th June 06, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Mike1

I suspect there are many today that would fail to recognize the Cross of St. George as England's national flag.

Unless you are a Soccer fan ... there are St George Crosses all over Germany this month. In the absence of Scotland being in the FIFA World Cup, one must become a Team England supporter :-)

Brian Mackay

**JBfromBS** · 9th June 06, 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by Woodsheal

Technically,the "Lion Rampant" is only supposed to be used by the royal family. Such "rules" are universally ignored, however...!

I guess that is another reason I like it, my family was once the "royal family" of Scotland. (Not that I'm claiming any royal blood, mind you, just that the Bruces were Kings of Scotland)
So that flag is a bit of my heritage, but I don't "fly" it (or the Saltire for that matter). But the question was which one we liked better, and I like the Lion Rampant!

Joe

**macwilkin** · 9th June 06, 07:06 AM

Originally Posted by JBfromBS

I guess that is another reason I like it, my family was once the "royal family" of Scotland. (Not that I'm claiming any royal blood, mind you, just that the Bruces were Kings of Scotland)
So that flag is a bit of my heritage, but I don't "fly" it (or the Saltire for that matter). But the question was which one we liked better, and I like the Lion Rampant!

Joe

A Bruce!

Och, Lad -- I'm a Comyn! The Bruce stole the throne from us! :mrgreen:

Cheers,

Todd

**JBfromBS** · 9th June 06, 07:28 AM

Originally Posted by cajunscot

A Bruce!

Och, Lad -- I'm a Comyn! The Bruce stole the throne from us! :mrgreen:

Not to hijack this thread or anything, but...

Would you like to meet in a chapel somewhere and discuss this?

Now, back to which flag we like!

Joe

**macwilkin** · 9th June 06, 07:30 AM

Originally Posted by JBfromBS

Not to hijack this thread or anything, but...

Would you like to meet in a chapel somewhere and discuss this?

Now, back to which flag we like!

Joe

Oddly enough, one of our society members who is a Bruce also attends the same parish that I do -- I usually make it a point not to sit by him during services! :mrgreen:

T.