Why the Lion Rampant is not Scotland's national flag, but a royal emblem

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The Royal Banner of Scotland, featuring a vibrant red lion on a gold field, is often mistaken for the national flag. In reality, it is a restricted royal emblem. Its use is legally protected, and unauthorized display—even on bedspreads—has historically led to fines and formal admonishments.

The Royal Banner of Scotland, or Lion Rampant, is distinct from the Saltire, which serves as the national flag. While the Saltire flies daily from government buildings, the Royal Banner is the personal standard of the Monarch. Its use is strictly regulated by the Act of the Parliament of Scotland 1672 and the Lyon King of Arms Act 1867. Only specific Great Officers of State, such as the First Minister of Scotland or the Lord Lyon King of Arms, are permitted to display it in an official capacity.

The emblem’s history dates back to the 13th century, with Alexander II first recorded using the Lion Rampant in 1222. Alexander III later added the double border of lilies. Before this, early royal standards featured different motifs, such as a dragon used by David I at the 1138 Battle of the Standard. Following the 1603 Union of the Crowns, the banner was integrated into the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom, symbolizing Scotland’s place within the broader British monarchy.

Heraldically, the banner is defined as a red lion with blue claws and tongue on a gold background, enclosed by a double tressure. While its official use remains restricted, the public occasionally encounters it through limited royal warrants, such as the 1934 authorization by George V for hand-held flags during Silver Jubilee celebrations. Despite legal enforcement—including a 1978 case where a merchant was fined £100 daily for using the design on linens—the Lion Rampant remains a ubiquitous, if technically unauthorized, symbol in Scottish commercial tourism.

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