Saltire as ensign

webcraft said:
There is a Scots red ensign:


This was flown by the Royal Scots Navy (or Old Scots Navy), which vanished with the Act of Union in 1707. I've never seen a boat flying this however, whereas lots of Scots boats fly the Saltire as an ensign.

- W
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Here you go:

scots.jpg


And

dressed.jpg


Note that in both cases I'm /flying/ the Scots Ensign as house flag, but /wearing/ (as entitled by MSA95) a red ensign ;->
 
Even Duncan's in Glasgow now stock them.

The M flag originally meant "Doctor on board" I wonder why it was changed.

The blue in the satire was never specific dark or light, until 2003 when the Scottish parliament decided that correct colour is Pantone300.

ps yes I fly one as well.
pps.Thinking of getting an English ensign for a courtesy flag as I'm heading south next year.
 
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skipper_stu said:
He is on a wind up, a non jock wanting to fly the saltire, I ask you what next. Never mind our opinion, perhaps the best advice is for him to go to France and fly it there, see what monsieur les douanes have to say about flying the wrong ensign!
Bit of luck he might get frog marched to a cash point!
Stu
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Whats wrong with a non jock wanting to fly the saltire? I fly one and I am a non jock, only difference is I wouldent be seen dead flying the uj here but will be obliged to fly it when I go to NI.
 
Lion rampant

we used to fly the lion rampant

If we're going to fly battle flags do it properly

Also I take it the Aussies arn't independent as they fly the UJ in the corner of their flag
 
Mark-1 said:
House flags are flown from the port spreaders.

http://www.rya.org.uk/infoadvice/regssafety/flagetiquette/Pages/flagetiquette.aspx
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"The starboard spreaders are used for signalling."

The 1/2 yard (smaller than my backstay superior[0] red ensign) Scots ensign on port is my house flag - the 2 yard one on starboard is for signalling.

In the first case, I was signalling to a friend "We're on port tack and you're taking pictures, so I'm hoisting my battle ensign." (race into Osbourne Bay followed - even 'tho it was downwind, I lost by about 12 foot of waterline length and *he* had to faff about with anchor, while we just rafted ;-)

In the second case, I was signalling that I'm celebrating the wedding of the son of the Duke of Rothesay/Earl of Carrick/Baron of Renfrew/Lord of the Isles/Prince and Great Steward of Scotland (and Q flags are not required when visiting the IOW).

My crew (aged 4&6&something) think that Charlie Alfa Kilo Echo is an appropriate starboard hoist if one of the crew has a birthday.

[0] 'tho having watched some historical TV recently, I'm entertaining the thought that the RE is in fact superior to the WE, on the grounds that the RN was only formally founded to protect & defend the MN - discuss...
 
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Robin said:
The Saltire is not an ensign, nor is it valid sewn into a red cloth as a sad attempt to make it look like one. It does of course tell all around that the owner is either ignorant of maritime law or is being deliberately insulting to it, neither viewpoint being very complimentary.
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Or it could indicate that some of us Scots enjoy flying a traditional Scottish flag.
 
Ubergeekian said:
I've never seen a saltire used as an ensign, but I have been flying the Scottish Merchant Flag (Scottish Red Ensign) on all my boats since 1989. I think Duncan's keep them in stock.
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I know you're oop north and I'm darn sarf, but thinking about it, I wear the RE on the backstay to acknowledge MSA95 and the arctic convoys, etc[0] - my SRE house flag (as I'm not a member of a club that would have me, not have my own shipping line) acknowledges my cultural heritage claim to everything from Fifes and McGrugers to the Queens and Hood.

Alas, my current boat is Essex-built rather than Clydebuilt...

I'd never wear the saltire as an ensign.

[0] My grandfather was on the _SS Volendam_.
 
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