The Story Behind Scotland's Flag
By Liz Smith
The origins of St. Andrew’s Cross
St. Andrew lived in the first century and worked as a fisherman in Galilee. Known as the first disciple called by Jesus, and as the brother of St. Peter, Andrew became a devoted preacher of Christianity.
According to tradition, Andrew was ordered by the Roman governor Aegeas to stop spreading the Christian faith. When he refused, he was sentenced to death in Patras, Greece, around 60 AD. Believing himself unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus, Andrew requested to be crucified on a diagonal X-shaped cross instead. This distinctive shape would later become one of the most recognizable symbols in Scotland.
How did a fisherman from the Middle East become Scotland's patron saint?
Legend tells us that Andrew's relics were brought to Scotland by a Greek monk who had a vision directing him to carry them to the "ends of the earth" for safekeeping. His journey eventually brought him to where the town of St. Andrews now stands. Anyone who has visited the beautiful town might question whether it truly qualifies as earth’s end, but medieval geography was slightly rather different then!
Andrew's connection to Scotland deepened centuries later. In the ninth century King Óengus II, also known as Angus of the Picts, led a combined force of Picts and Scots into battle against an invading army near present-day Athelstaneford in East Lothian. Before the battle, he vowed that if victorious, he would name St. Andrew the patron saint of Scotland.
The story goes that on the morning of the battle; white clouds formed in the shape of a diagonal cross against a brilliant blue sky. Inspired by what was seen as a sign of St. Andrew's protection, the Scottish forces achieved an unlikely victory. The white cross on a blue background became associated with Scotland and eventually evolved into the Saltire we know today.
What's a Saltire?
The word saltire comes from the Old French sautoir or sautour, meaning a stirrup or crosspiece. Historians note that the shape of a stirrup resembles the diagonal bars of an X-shaped cross. The term entered Middle English around 1400 and became the heraldic name for a diagonal cross.
Although historians cannot verify the famous battlefield vision, the story remains an important part of Scotland's folklore and national heritage. The Saltire's use as a Scottish symbol is more firmly documented during the medieval period.
Scotland officially adopted St. Andrew as its patron saint by the early fourteenth century, with reference appearing in the 1320 Declaration of Arbroath. In 1385, when the Parliament of Scotland decreed that Scottish soldiers should wear a white St. Andrew's Cross as a means of identification in battle.
Saltire as Scotland's national flag.
Today, the blue-and-white banner remains one of the world's oldest national flags still in use, a powerful symbol of Scottish identity recognized across the globe.
Although St. Andrew's Day has been celebrated in Scotland for centuries, it was only in 2006 that the Scottish Parliament designated November 30 as an official bank holiday.
Join us for St. Andrew's Day
This year, we invite you to celebrate Scotland's patron saint and the remarkable history of the Saltire with fellow members and friends of the Scottish Society of Ottawa.
SSO St. Andrew's Day Flag Raising
Monday, November 30, 2026
11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Marion Dewar Plaza, Ottawa City Hall
Following the ceremony, we'll continue the celebration at Deacon Brodies Pub for refreshments and fellowship.
Complimentary snacks provided
Beverages available for purchase
See you there! 🏴