[MR] The Rest of the Saltire Flag Message

[Groff, Garth (ggg9y)]

Noble Friends, Especially Fellow Scots:

My computer briefly got stuck and clipped off half of my message. Here is the whole thing with the links (reconstructed).

Today, 30 November, is St. Andrew's Day. This is one of Scotland's important patriotic holidays. St. Andrew has been the patron saint of Scotland since the 9th century when a miraculous white saltir cross (St. Andrew was supposedly crucified on an X-shaped cross) appeared in the sky during a battle between the combined Scots and Pictish army under Angus II and the Angles led by Aethelstan. The cross so inspired the Scots/Picts to defeat the Angles.

The saltire flag of Scotland features the large X-shaped cross on a blue field. The saltire was been an identification mark for Scots in battle since at least 1385. As a flag, the saltire probably dates to the 15th century, though it wasn't officially adopted until about 1540. This makes Scotland's flag one of the oldest still in use.

The story of the saltire is here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_of_Scotland

Here's how the Scots observe St. Andrew's day: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Andrew%27s_Day

And it's hard to ignore the current politics of the day and the flag: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-20549153 . This story features a nice photo of crossed jet contrails in the sky, much as might have been seen by the Scots and Picts during the ancient battle. Hmmm. Makes you wonder, space aliens?

Today the saltire flag is flying proudly in front of Mallard Lodge. Well, drooping really, since there's no wind. But it is proud!

Yours Aye,


Lord Mungo Napier, That Crazy Scot