Flag of Scotland
regionThe flag of Scotland was adopted on 1512. Blue field with a white saltire. It uses 2 colours: blue and white. The official proportions are 3:5.
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Scotland |
|---|---|
| Country | Scotland |
| Official Country Name | Scotland |
| Region | Western Europe |
| ISO Country Code | GB-SCT |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Scotland |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | 1512 |
| First Used | 832 |
| Current Version Adopted | 1512 |
| Flag Proportion | 3:5 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 2 |
| Main Colors | Blue, White |
| Design Type | Blue field with a white saltire |
| Official Status | Official Regional Flag |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue | #0065BF | 0, 101, 191 | 100, 47, 0, 25 | |
| White | #FFFFFF | 255, 255, 255 | 0, 0, 0, 0 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Blue colour | Represents the sky |
|---|---|
| White colour | Represents the Saltire of Saint Andrew |
| Saltire | The diagonal cross on which Saint Andrew was martyred — by legend it appeared as clouds in a blue sky before a battle in 832 |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 832 | The design was first used |
| 1512 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 3:5 |
|---|---|
| Width | 3 units (hoist) |
| Length | 5 units (fly) |
Scotland Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Scotland
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 514 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | 1512 |
| Oldest Version | 832 |
| Most Common Color | Blue |
| Unique Feature | Blue field with a white saltire |
Other saltire (diagonal cross) flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Scotland
- The saltire is among the oldest national flags in Europe, in use since at least the fifteenth century.
- The official shade of blue was recommended by the Scottish Parliament in 2003 as Pantone 300, ending decades in which the flag appeared in every blue from navy to sky.
- The flag of Scotland was officially adopted on 1512.
- The flag in its present form is 514 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Blue field with a white saltire.
- The official proportions are 3:5. It shares that ratio with 20 national flags.
- The flag uses 2 colours: blue and white.
- The blue on the flag stands for the sky.
- The white on the flag stands for the Saltire of Saint Andrew.
- Saltire: The diagonal cross on which Saint Andrew was martyred — by legend it appeared as clouds in a blue sky before a battle in 832.
- The design belongs to the "Saltire (diagonal cross)" family, shared with 3 other flags in this reference.
- Scotland is a constituent country of the United Kingdom, administered by the United Kingdom.
- Football is the most popular sport; shinty and golf are the traditional national games and golf was invented here.
- The national animal is the unicorn, with the golden eagle as national bird.
- The flag is flown everywhere on 30 November, Saint Andrew's Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Scotland
When was the flag of Scotland adopted?
The flag of Scotland was officially adopted on 1512.
What do the colours of the flag of Scotland mean?
Blue for the sky and white for the Saltire of Saint Andrew.
Is Scotland an independent country?
Scotland is a constituent country of the United Kingdom, administered by the United Kingdom, a status held since 1707, under the Acts of Union with England.
What is the national sport of Scotland?
Football is the most popular sport; shinty and golf are the traditional national games and golf was invented here.
What do the symbols on the flag of Scotland represent?
Saltire — The diagonal cross on which Saint Andrew was martyred — by legend it appeared as clouds in a blue sky before a battle in 832.
What are the proportions of the flag of Scotland?
The official ratio is 3:5, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 20 national flags.
When is the national day of Scotland?
It falls on 30 November, Saint Andrew's Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the national animal of Scotland?
The national animal is the unicorn, with the golden eagle as national bird.
How many colours are on the flag of Scotland?
It uses 2 colours: blue and white.
Can I download the flag of Scotland for free?
Yes. This page offers the flag of Scotland in SVG, PNG, JPG and WebP at several sizes. The files are free to use for any purpose and no attribution is required.