Flag of Scotland
| Use | National flag |
|---|---|
| Proportion | Mass-produced versions tend towards 1:2 or 2:3 (3:5 shown) |
| Adopted | 1542 (Standardised in 2003) |
| Design | A blue (Pantone 300 recommended) field on which a white saltire extends to the corners of the flag. In Blazon, Azure, a saltire Argent. |
| As a component of the Union Jack | |
| Proportion | 1:2 (British Army 3:5) |
| Adopted | 1606 |
| Design | A dark blue (Pantone 280 specified) field |
The flag of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: bratach na h-Alba; Scots: Banner o Scotland, also known as St Andrew's Cross or the Saltire) is the national flag of Scotland, which consists of a white saltire over a blue field. The Saltire, rather than the Royal Standard of Scotland, is the correct flag for all private individuals and corporate bodies to fly. It is also, where possible, flown from Scottish Government buildings every day from 8:00 am until sunset, with certain exceptions.
Use of the flag is first recorded with the illustration of a heraldic flag in Sir David Lyndsay of the Mount's Register of Scottish Arms, c. 1542. It is possible that this is based on a precedent of the late 15th century, the use of a white saltire in the canton of a blue flag reputedly made by Queen Margaret, wife of James III (1451–1488). It is considered to be the oldest flag in Europe.