The Scottish national flag is a white-on-blue saltire (i.e. a diagonal cross on a coloured background) and it derives from the shape of the cross on which Scotland's patron saint, St Andrew, was crucified. In 832 AD near the East Lothian village of Athelstaneford, a battle was fought which led to the adoption of the Saltire as Scotland's national flag. A joint army of Picts and Scots under the High King of Alba, Angus mac Fergus, was invading Lothian which at that time was still Northumbrian territory. Angus's force was surrounded by a larger army of Angles and Saxons and fearing defeat, the king led prayers for deliverance. Angus believed he had received a divine sign when above him in a clear blue sky, he saw a great white cross like that of St Andrew's. The king vowed that if, with the saint's help, he gained the victory, then Andrew would thereafter be the patron saint of Scotland and his cross the flag of Scotland. Angus did win and the Saltire duly became the national flag  

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