Alex Salmond yesterday urged Scots to start flying the Lion Rampant.
Although jubilee celebrations have been somewhat muted in Scotland, the Union flag has been in evidence from the Shetland Isles to the Borders.
The First Minister, who attended the thanksgiving service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London yesterday, said that he had no desire to curtail the flying of the Union flag, but he also called on his countrymen to display the Lion Rampant.
Asked about whether he would see any need to change the flag in the event of independence, he said: “People are very proud of the Saltire but the flag that should be flown more in Scotland, in my view, is the Royal Standard, which is the Lion Rampant, which is very much, in many senses, the people’s flag, as well as the Monarch’s flag in Scotland.
“So my advice to any budding entrepreneur out there is to produce more Lion Rampants. I think you will find a very willing market.”
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Historically, the Lion Rampant was the flag of the King of Scots. It shows a lion with blue tongue and claws within a red double border on a yellow background.
It may have been adopted in the 12th century by William I - William the Lion - but only appeared officially in 1222 in the seal of William’s son, Alexander II.
Unlike the Saltire, its correct use is limited by statute to those who represent the Monarch in Scotland. Mr Salmond is among that group.
Yesterday, he said: “I am one of those who has the official permission to fly it but it’s very much the people’s flag.”