Time Traveler: Culloden

Dunnottar Castle: A Journey Through Time!

Towers of the North: The Brochs of Iron Age Scotland (3000 BC - 200 AD)

The History of the British Isles: Every Year

The Flags, Heraldry and Symbols of Scotland

Flag of Scotland
St. Andrews Cross

The Flag of Scotland (Scottish Gaelic: bratach na h-Alba; Scots: Banner o Scotland) is also known as St Andrew's Cross or the Saltire. As the national flag, the Saltire, rather than the Royal Standard of Scotland is the correct flag for all individuals and corporate bodies to fly.

Royal Coat of Arms  of Scotland

The royal arms of Scotland is the official coat of arms of the King of Scots first adopted in the 12th century. With the Union of the Crowns in 1603, James VI inherited the thrones of England and Ireland and thus his arms in Scotland were now quartered with the arms of England (which was itself quartered with France) with an additional quarter for Ireland also added (the arms would continue to alter in later years). (See below)

Scottish National Tartan Why Tartans?

Tartan (Scottish Gaelic: breacan) is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns

The Thistle
The National Emblem of Scotland

Common throughout the Highlands, Islands and Lowlands of Scotland the prickly purple thistle has been Scotland’s national emblem for centuries. This proud and regal plant has several different legends that tell how the thistle became Scotland’s symbol, but most date from the reign of Alexander III and the events, surrounding the Battle of Largs in 1263.

The Order of the Thistle

The role of the thistle was understood and first used as a royal symbol of Scotland on silver coins, issued by James III in 1470. The Order of the Thistle was founded in 1540 by King James V, who made this Order for himself and his twelve knights. 

Unicorn Feature on
Scottish Coin @ 1513 A.D.

In Celtic mythology the unicorn was a symbol of purity and innocence, as well as masculinity and power. Tales of dominance and chivalry associated with the unicorn may be why it was chosen as Scotland’s national animal.

Coat of Arms of Scotland

The Scottish Wildcat

The endangered Scottish wildcat is a charge of many heraldic emblems. The wildcat is elusive, fierce when cornered, an embodiment of the Scottish spirit.
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