Roz Foyer on the controversy around the use and 'claiming back' of the Saltire

What's in a flag, really? Just colours and design blowing in the wind.

Sometimes they’re updated mostly because they’re outdated. The state of Mississippi removed the confederate emblem – an historic symbol seen by many to be tied to racism, discrimination and slavery – from their state flag in 2020.

The fall of the Assad regime prompted many changes, least of all the country’s flag changing from red to green. The same applies to Myanmar (formerly Burma), South Sudan, Afghanistan and more.

Even looking to our shores, the Union Flag, speaking frankly, has a chequered past.

Whether it’s emblazoned on the jets that dropped bombs over innocents or raised on the ships transporting slaves to Britain, we shouldn’t deny the impact and interpretations items of national symbolism can have on different people.

It’s why I’ve been struggling this past week as swathes of saltires have been popping up all over the north of Glasgow, Aberdeen, Peterhead and Falkirk.

The country I believe Scotland to be – a welcoming, inclusive, tolerant and respectful nation – is symbolised by Saint Andrew’s cross.

Saint Andrew himself was, of course, an immigrant. Societies across the world that bear his name aim to promote inclusivity, welcoming members of the Scots diaspora, of differing generations, to settle in their new homes.

The raising of the saltires we’ve seen these past weeks are the antithesis........

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