The Lion Rampant or the Royal Flag of Scotland
Although the national flag of Scotland is the blue and white
Saltire, the Scottish people have another very different flag.
That is the Lion Rampant, which is often considered the
unofficial national flag sometimes called the Royal Flag of
Scotland. It is a “Royal” flag because historically, and
legally, this flag belongs to the King or Queen of Scotland.
In 1607, Scotland and England gave up their independence
to become the “United Kingdom” of Great Britain - with the
Scottish King James VI becoming King James I of England.
Today, this flag belongs to Queen Elizabeth II. Officially the Lion Rampant is allowed to be flown only
by the monarch. But today it is flown at royal residences when the monarch is NOT in residence.
The flag may also be used by other officials, such as the Lord High Commissioner to the General
Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms and the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
They are also allowed to fly this flag
According to an Act of Parliament of 1672, it is an offense for any private citizen or corporate body to
fly or wave this flag. Unofficially, it's often used as the “second national flag of Scotland” - and you'll
see hordes of them in the hands of sports fans at national and international football and rugby games.
Although technically illegal, there doesn't seem to be any official objection to displays of patriotism
using this flag. King George V gave permission for the public to wave Lion Rampant flags during his
Silver Jubilee celebrations in 1935. However, if you want to fly one from your flagpole or building you
really should get special permission.
The term “lion rampant” refers to the position or attitude of the lion. A rampant lion is shown in
profile standing upright on one or both hind legs with its forelegs raised, claws unsheathed, as if ready
to strike. A worthy symbol of fierce Scottish pride!
History of the Lion Rampant Flag
The Lion Rampant was first used as a symbol of the Scottish kingdom by Alexander II (1214 - 1249).
King Alexander II of Scotland was the son of King William I - William the Lion (mentioned below).
It appeared on one of his seals in 1222. It also appeared on a seal of Alexander II’s son, Alexander III.
It was referred to as the “Arms of the Kingdom of Scotland”.
But historians believe that the lion rampant may have appeared
even earlier than this, being adopted by King William I
(“William the Lion”) 1143 - 1214 AD, as part of the design of his
heraldic flags used in battle. William the Lion made Ayr a royal
residence and a little later a Royal Burgh. He gifted lands to Ayr,
including the Lower Green by the Ayr Pavilion (recorded on this
marker). During William’s reign, the “Lion Rampant” was likely
known as “The Lion of Bravery”.