Countries have flags as they act as symbols of their nation that - in theory - hold similar beliefs, goals and commitment to laws within a defined territory. However, if history teaches us anything it's that morals (as well as borders) can change sporadically and so many countries have had a wealth of different flag designs.
Diplo reports that Afghanistan alone has changed flags a whopping 30 times in the last 100 years. But what about Scotland? Well, as a country with a rich and sometimes dark history our many islands, regions, cities, organisations, royalty and more have seen a myriad of flag designs hoisted high into the bonnie Scottish sky.
Here is a (non-exhaustive) list of twenty-nine flags used in Scotland, where they are raised and what they represent.
9. Flag of Shetland
The flag of Shetland nods to the region's Scottish identity and Nordic roots, it features a white Nordic cross with a blue background like the Scottish Saltire, this flag was created in 1969. Photo: Jon Harald Søby via WikiCommons
10. Flag of Sutherland
This flag has been around since 2018, it features a black nordic cross and a black Saltire, the golden star, where the crosses intersect, represents the sun rising. The white represents the former arms of the Sutherland County Council while the black represents the peat and dark skies of the Flow Country. Photo: Hogweard via WikiCommons
11. Flag of Barra
Barra is the most southerly of the inhabited islands in the Outer Hebrides. This flag has been used since 2017, the green colour represents the natural green beauty of Barra and once again it sports a nordic / Scandinavian cross. Photo: Hogweard via WikiCommons
12. Flag of Tiree
The Isle of Tiree is the most westerly island of the Inner Hebrides. The green colour represents the fertility of the isle while the barley stalks refer to the name of this location 'Land of Barley' (Tìr an Eòrna) - this flag dates to 2018. Photo: Hogweard via WikiCommons