The Scottish flag — the Saltire, or St Andrew's Cross — is one of the oldest national flags in the world. Its design is deceptively simple: a white diagonal cross on a blue background. Yet that shade of blue has been the subject of considerable debate, official review, and ultimately a formal decision by the Scottish Parliament to standardise it as Pantone 300.
This article explores the history of the Saltire, why the blue matters, and the reasoning behind Scotland's decision to adopt a specific, brighter shade — distinct from the darker blue used in the Union Flag.
What Is the Scottish Flag?
The Scottish flag is known as the Saltire or the Cross of St Andrew. It features a white diagonal cross (an X-shape) on a blue background, representing Scotland's patron saint, St Andrew, who, according to tradition, was crucified on a diagonal cross.
The Saltire is one of the oldest national flags still in use, with its origins traceable to at least the 9th century. It forms part of the Union Flag (commonly called the Union Jack), where it appears as the blue background and white diagonal cross beneath the Cross of St George and the Cross of St Patrick.
The Legend of St Andrew and the Saltire
St Andrew was one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ, and the brother of St Peter. Born in Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee, he became a fisherman before following Christ. According to Christian tradition, he was martyred around 60 AD in Patras, Greece, crucified on an X-shaped cross — now known as a saltire or crux decussata — because he reportedly felt unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross as Jesus.
The connection between St Andrew and Scotland is rooted in a famous legend. In 832 AD, on the eve of a battle near Athelstaneford in East Lothian, the Pictish King Óengus II (also written as Angus) prayed for victory against the Northumbrian army. That night, he reportedly saw a vision of a white saltire cross against a blue sky. The Picts and Scots won the battle, and the saltire was adopted as their emblem. The village of Athelstaneford is today recognised as the birthplace of the Scottish flag, and a heritage centre there commemorates the legend.
The History of the Saltire's Blue
For most of its history, the precise shade of blue on the Saltire was never formally defined. This was not unusual — before the era of standardised colour systems, flags were produced by different craftsmen using different dyes, and shades varied considerably.
Historically, the blue used on the Saltire tended to be a dark, navy-like blue — similar to the blue used in the Union Flag. This darker shade had become the de facto standard through convention rather than any official decree, and it was the version most commonly reproduced on flags, heraldic documents, and official materials for centuries.
The problem was inconsistency. Without a defined standard, the blue on Scottish flags ranged from very dark navy to mid-blue to lighter sky blue, depending on the manufacturer, the era, and the context. This created confusion in official communications, branding, and international representation.
The Scottish Parliament's Decision: Adopting Pantone 300
The issue came to a head following the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999. With devolution came a renewed focus on Scottish national identity and the need for consistent, professional representation of Scottish symbols — including the flag.
In 2003, the Scottish Parliament formally considered the question of the Saltire's blue. After review, it was agreed that the official shade of blue for the Scottish flag should be standardised as Pantone 300.
Pantone 300 is a bright, vivid, medium blue — noticeably lighter and more vibrant than the dark navy blue of the Union Flag. In hex colour terms, it is approximately #0065BD, though the Pantone reference is the authoritative standard.
Why Pantone 300 Specifically?
The choice of Pantone 300 was driven by several practical and aesthetic considerations:
- Distinctiveness — A brighter blue clearly differentiates the Saltire from the Union Flag, reinforcing Scotland's distinct national identity rather than appearing as a subset of the UK flag.
- Visibility and impact — Pantone 300 is a bold, striking colour that reproduces well across different media — print, digital, fabric, and signage — making it highly versatile for modern use.
- Historical precedent — Some historical depictions of the Saltire, particularly older heraldic illustrations, used a lighter, brighter blue. The move to Pantone 300 was therefore not entirely without historical basis.
- International legibility — A vivid, clearly defined blue is more immediately recognisable on the world stage, particularly in digital and broadcast contexts where dark navy can appear almost black at small sizes.
How Does This Differ from the Union Flag?
The blue in the Union Flag is a much darker shade — approximately Pantone 280 or Reflex Blue in some specifications — a deep navy that has been used in British heraldry and official contexts for centuries.
When the Union Flag was created in 1606 (and updated in 1801), the blue was derived from the Saltire. However, the shade used became progressively darker over time through convention and the influence of naval and military traditions, where dark navy was standard.
The Scottish Parliament's decision to adopt Pantone 300 effectively reclaimed a brighter blue for the Saltire — asserting that Scotland's flag should stand on its own terms, with its own distinct colour identity, rather than being defined by its role within the Union Flag.
Official Status of the Saltire
The Saltire holds a unique place in Scottish law and culture:
- It is the national flag of Scotland and takes precedence over all other flags in Scotland, including the Union Flag, on Scottish Government buildings.
- The Lion Rampant (a yellow lion on red) is the Royal Banner of the Royal Arms of Scotland and is technically reserved for use by the monarch, though it is widely used by the public at sporting events.
- The Saltire is flown from Scottish Government buildings on St Andrew's Day (30 November) and other designated days throughout the year.
The Saltire in Modern Scottish Identity
Since devolution, the Saltire has taken on renewed significance as a symbol of Scottish national identity. It is flown prominently at:
- Scottish Parliament and government buildings
- Scotland international sporting events (football, rugby, golf)
- St Andrew's Day and Burns Night celebrations
- Scottish cultural events worldwide
The standardisation of the blue to Pantone 300 has helped create a more consistent and confident visual identity for Scotland on the world stage — one that is immediately recognisable and distinct from both the Union Flag and the flags of other nations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What colour blue is the Scottish flag?
The official blue of the Scottish flag (the Saltire) is Pantone 300, a bright, vivid medium blue. This was standardised by the Scottish Parliament in 2003. The approximate hex value is #0065BD.
Why is the Scottish flag blue and white?
The white diagonal cross represents the cross on which St Andrew was martyred. The blue background is traditionally associated with the sky seen in the vision by King Óengus II before the Battle of Athelstaneford in 832 AD.
Is the blue on the Scottish flag the same as the Union Jack?
No. The Union Flag uses a much darker navy blue (approximately Pantone 280), while the Scottish Saltire officially uses the brighter Pantone 300. The Scottish Parliament standardised this distinction in 2003.
What is the oldest national flag in the world?
The Saltire is frequently cited as one of the oldest national flags still in use, with its origins in the 9th century legend of King Óengus II at Athelstaneford. Denmark's Dannebrog (13th century) is another strong contender for the title.
When is the Scottish flag flown?
The Saltire is flown on Scottish Government buildings on designated days, including St Andrew's Day (30 November), the monarch's official birthday, and other national occasions. It takes precedence over the Union Flag on Scottish Government buildings.
Conclusion
The Scottish Saltire is far more than a simple blue and white flag. It carries over a thousand years of history, legend, and national identity — from the battlefield vision of King Óengus II to the debating chamber of the modern Scottish Parliament.