Scottish Government Flag Flying Guidance 2022
Flag Flying Guidance for Scottish Government Buildings
Issue No. 29 (Valid from January 2022)
From 08:00 am till sunset
Date | Event | Flag To Be Flown |
---|---|---|
9 January | Birthday of The Countess of Strathearn | A |
20 January | Birthday of The Countess Of Forfar | A |
1 February | Start of LGBT History Month (see note 1) | F |
6 February | Anniversary of The Queen's Accession | A |
10 March | Birthday of The Earl of Forfar | A |
14 March | Commonwealth Day ( see notes 1 and 2) | H |
21 April | Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen | A |
28 April | International Workers Memorial Day | I |
9 May | Europe Day (see note 1) | G |
17 May | International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (see note 1) | F |
2 June |
Anniversary of Coronation Day Official Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday (see note 2) In celebration of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee | A |
18 June | Autistic Pride Day (see note 1) | J |
TBC | Edinburgh Pride (see notes 1 and 2) | F |
21 June | Birthday of The Earl of Strathearn | A |
25 June | Armed Forces Day (see notes 1 and 2) | E |
17 July | Birthday of The Duchess of Rothesay | A |
15 August | Birthday of The Princess Royal | A |
TBC | Glasgow Pride (see notes 1 and 2) | F |
3 September | Merchant Navy Day (see note 1) | D |
13 November | Remembrance Day (see note 3) | C |
14 November | Birthday of The Duke of Rothesay | A |
20 November | Transgender Remembrance Day | K |
30 November | St. Andrew's Day | B |
1 December | World AIDS Day (see note 1) | L |
Key
Flags to Flown in the Formation Detailed Below
A By Royal assent, for Royal birthdays and anniversaries the Royal Banner (superior) and the Saltire may be flown at SAH - as the principal Scottish Government building - or at another Scottish Government building when the First Minister is present (see note 8).

B Saltire, or two Saltires if building has two or more flagpoles.
By Royal assent, for St. Andrew's Day, the Royal Banner (superior) and the Saltire may be flown at SAH - as the principal Scottish Government building - or at another Scottish Government building when the First Minister is present (see note 8).

C Remembrance Day
Union Flag and Saltire or Saltires if the building has more than two flagpoles

D Red Ensign if building has one flagpole.
Red Ensign and Saltire if building has two or more flagpoles.

E Armed Forces Day flag if building has one flagpole
Armed Forces Day flag and Saltire if building has two or more flagpoles

F Rainbow flag if building has one flagpole
Rainbow flag and Saltire if building has two or more flagpoles

G European flag if building has one flagpole.
European flag and Saltire if building has two or more flagpoles.

H Commonwealth flag if building has one flagpole.
Commonwealth flag and Saltire if building has two or more flagpoles.

I On this day, the Saltire(s) should be hoisted right up and then lowered to half-mast for the day See note 9(**)

J Autistic Pride flag and Saltire should be flown from SAH only

K Transgender flag should be flown if building has one flagpole.
Transgender flag and Saltire if building has two or more flag poles.

L World AIDS Day flag and Saltire should be flown from SAH only

Notes
1. Scottish Government (SG) main buildings which have four flag poles:
- should fly the Saltire and European flag
- plus flags indicated in the schedule
On buildings that only have one flagpole, one of the following flags should be flown:
- Rainbow,
- Commonwealth
- European
- Autistic Pride
- Armed Forces Day
- Red Ensign
- Transgender
- World AIDS Day
Where a building has two or more flagpoles the Saltire should also be flown.
2. Dates advised annually for 2022:
- Commonwealth Day is 14th March
- Official Celebration of Her Majesty's Birthday is 2nd June
- Edinburgh Pride is TBC
- Armed Forces Day is 25th June
- Glasgow Pride is TBC.
3. Usually the second Sunday of the month. In 2022, the date for Remembrance Sunday is 13th November.
Additionally:
- Please note due to COVID-19, flag flying dates may be subject to change.
- Some dates are listed as to be confirmed until confirmed.
- The guidance will be updated accordingly.
- The First Minister has instructed that the European flag is flown from SG buildings. This will be on a daily basis except for specific flag flying dates.
Contact
Email: protocolandhonours@gov.scot
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