Saint Andrews Cross
Also Called the "Cross of Saint Andrew"

The Saint Andrew's Cross is one of the oldest national flags of all, dating back at least to the 12th century. It is based on the x-shaped cross on which the patron saint of Scotland was crucified. This flag, along with the flag of Saint George the patron saint of England formed the basis of the Union flag when James VI of Scotland became James I of England.

Scotland's Royal Flag
Lion-Rampant

In the days when flags and banners were important to identify opposing elements in battle, King William I "the Lion" who lived from 1143 to 1214, adopted a heraldic device showing a rampant lion, the king of beasts, rearing up with three paws stretched out. This became the royal coat of arms in Scotland. The lion was also incorporated into the Great Seal of Scotland which was placed on all official documents. When the royal coat of arms was being designed, the lion rampant was obviously incorporated, with the Latin motto "Nemo me impune lacessit" meaning "No one attacks me with impunity". In Scots, that became "Wha daur meddle wi' me?"

The lion rampant flag strictly speaking belongs solely to the monarch - though a Royal Warrant has been issued allowing it to be displayed as a token of loyalty to the crown. At one time, using the royal coat of arms unlawfully, could have resulted in a stiff fine - or worse!

THE THISTLE
~FLOWER OF SCOTLAND~

Music~The Flower of Scotland~


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The Thistle, ever present in fields and pastures throughout Scotland, has been an emblem of Scotland for centuries. This flower became the Scotch national emblem as the result of a traditional incident during the wars between the Scots and the Danes. Just when the incident occurred is not authentically recorded. Some writers place it in the eighteenth century, while others place it about 1010 during the reign of Malcolm II. The Danes, it is believed, were finally driven out of Scotland in 1040, about the time that Duncan I was murdered by his kinsman Macbeth, who seized the throne and reigned about sixteen years. Be that as it may, according to the most usual version of the legend, the Danes planned a surprise attack by night on Sterling or some other castle. The sleeping Scots within the castle were suddenly aroused when a member of the Danish advance guard, creeping along noiselessly because barefooted, stepped on a thistle in the moat and uttered a howl of pain. Whether the legend is true or not, the thistle as the heraldic emblem and seal of Scotland is very ancient.

OUR SCOTTISH FAMILIES

ALLEN

ANDERSON

BLACK

BUCHANAN

FURGERSON

LOWERY

McCULLOUGH

MaHAFFEY

McKINNEY

RATHBONE

ROBERTSON

WILLIAMS

WOODARD