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Scottish Red Ensign

Scottish Red Ensign

by Rob Raeside

The Scottish Red Ensign

The Scottish Red Ensign is shown in a number of flag charts of the 17th and early 18th centuries. While I have read nothing in positive confirmation, the consensus of informed opinion seems to be that it was actually flown before 1707 by the Scots merchant marine and by the tiny Scots navy. It is shown on the flag charts of William Downham 1685-6, Allard 1695 & 1705 and of B Lens c1700.

Following the Act of Union between England and Scotland of 1601 and up to the Act of (Political) Union of 1707, the English and Scots navies were still separate entities as before 1601, so flew the ensigns of their respective countries. When the two navies were combined in 1707 to become the British Royal Navy, the Scottish navy consisted of only 3 ships. (The English navy had 277 ships at this time.)

Christopher Southworth, 24 February 2003

There was also a Scottish Admiral's flag, referred to by Wilson (1999) 'Flags at Sea', page 23, which he describes as white with a horizontal blue anchor. However, it seems to have been used only by James, Duke of York between 1673 and 1685 (i.e. between when he was deprived of the post of Lord High Admiral, and when he succeeded to the throne as James VII/II). His source is apparently a contemporary drawing by one of the van der Veldes.

Ian Sumner, 26 February 2003

The flag you are referring to is that of 'Lord High Admiral of Scotland', and Perrin implies that it was invented by James, himself. I do not know whether the appointment existe