ATHELSTANEFORD'S Scottish Flag Trust has launched a fundraiser dubbed “the ultimate gift for any proud Scot”.
It is offering members of the public the chance to have the Scottish Saltire flown in their name for a day.
The Saltire – Scotland’s national flag – is flown at the flag heritage centre every day of the year, commemorating the ninth-century battle fought nearby between the armies of Angus mac Fergus and King Athelstan, when a St Andrew’s Cross was said to appear in the sky.
Now, to help raise funds to restore the birthplace of the Saltire, people are invited to sponsor the flag for a day.
All sponsors will receive a certificate and have their name recorded in the Book of the Saltire on display in the flag heritage centre.
David Williamson, chairman of the Scottish Flag Trust, said: “There is a dramatic audio visual presentation of the legend in a 16th-century doo’cot behind the village church, and a carved representation of the battle scene directly under where the Saltire flies today.
“We are giving people the chance to have the flag flown for someone special on a named day from as little as £20. The recipient gets a personalised certificate confirming their honour and their name recorded in the book of the Saltire at the memorial.”
The fundraiser has a host of high-profile backers, including actor David Hayman, historian Professor Sir Tom Devine and opera singer Andrea Baker.
The centre’s fundraising programme aims to restore and renew the visitor attraction so that more people can learn about the history of Scotland’s national flag.
Plans include:
- A new accessible pathway with a timeline telling the history and adoption of Scotland’s national flag from 832AD to the present;
- New landscaping and engraved paving around the Saltire Memorial, telling the story of St Andrew’s and Scot societies across the globe;
- A new immersive audiovisual experience telling the story of the Battle of Athelstaneford and the creation and adoption of Scotland’s national flag;
- Restoration of the 16th-century doocot which houses the flag heritage centre.
To find out more, go to saltire.scot/sponsor
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