Really? No-one commenting on tonights debate?

[Mikie711]

To be fair Dom I kinda see Scotts point, the tattoo is primarily a Scottish festival so you would expect to see a saltire or 2 knocking about. The national anthem is a little more complicated as we don't have a truly official alternative. I know the SFA use the Flower Of Scotland but it hasn't been universally adopted so would expect to hear God Save The Queen at Royal event.

[woody]

Ok I was mildly drunk but ...

Had a hospitality package at the Tattoo on Friday. Absolutely brilliant , was ten year wedding anniversary and RBS made a big deal about it which was super nice of them. Great evening out.

However 3 things really annoyed me:

1) Union Jack flys at the highest point over Edinburgh Castle. Ok officially its HRH military barracks (100 or so Dragoon staff IIRC) but still the Castle is a Scottish emblem and I honestly felt this was inappropriate.

2) Union flag was then projected over the castle at the end of the Tattoo ... same annoyance.

3) Audience asked to stand for God Save the Queen (which i didnt). We are in Scotland FFS , in a Scottish castle surrounded by Scottish history.

Interested to know your thoughts.

Scott

Yes we are in Scotland, but we are also in the UK "FFS". ...(for just now at least)

I don't get offended seeing the Scottish flag when I'm in Glasgow, thinking "Where is the Glasgow flag FFS" - same thing surely???

That's because Glasgow hoists the Palestinian flag.

[j2 lot]

Flag flying above the Chambers is (aside from the Palestine flag) a hugely contentious issue - I have had around 50 complaints so far this year about flying of the Union flag or the Saltire and demanding it is changed

[Dominic]

Flag flying above the Chambers is (aside from the Palestine flag) a hugely contentious issue - I have had around 50 complaints so far this year about flying of the Union flag or the Saltire and demanding it is changed

I don't suppose you are allowed to tell them to "get a life"

[j2 lot]

Flag flying above the Chambers is (aside from the Palestine flag) a hugely contentious issue - I have had around 50 complaints so far this year about flying of the Union flag or the Saltire and demanding it is changed

I don't suppose you are allowed to tell them to "get a life"

Not unless the lottery win is in the bank

[scott_e]

Flags are obviously an emotive topic , they mean one thing to one man and something different to another. People died making sure regimental standards were not lost in battle.
Its maybe a question of perception. Having been raised in Angus and strong SNP area with friends and peers very much of the nationalist persuasion and being a big football / rugby fan I have always seen the St Andrews cross as Scotland’s flag … also Flower of Scotland is our national anthem to raise another issue. Wasn't until a few years ago I had any understanding that this wasn't really official !

Yes we are in Scotland, but we are also in the UK "FFS". ...(for just now at least)
I don't get offended seeing the Scottish flag when I'm in Glasgow, thinking "Where is the Glasgow flag FFS" - same thing surely???

True, take it to the extreme and you can make that argument sure.

Also Edinburgh is definitely on the U.K.all I see no problems with using the national flag, nor anthem.
Out of interest, in your opinion, which flag and anthem should be used at Buckingham Palace during, say, the changing of the guard?

As above, union jack is not the national flag IMO. St Andrews cross is. The Castle is a Scottish symbol. If say the corries were playing at Buckingham Palace I guess it would be fair to raise the St Andrews cross at the highest point but that wouldn't go down well. Certain amount of history with armed forces and Union Flag at Edinburgh castle for sure but to me it was like putting a flag on Iwo Jima or the moon - aka you are conquered. Symbolism.

Well it is called the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo so perhaps the clue is in the title.

true

To be fair Dom I kinda see Scotts point, the tattoo is primarily a Scottish festival so you would expect to see a saltire or 2 knocking about. The national anthem is a little more complicated as we don't have a truly official alternative. I know the SFA use the Flower Of Scotland but it hasn't been universally adopted so would expect to hear God Save The Queen at Royal event.

Very good points. It maybe about education (or lack of ) and up brining. Point still stand though that many believe this to be true so many are understandably annoyed at the meaning behind the Union jack.

Flag flying above the Chambers is (aside from the Palestine flag) a hugely contentious issue - I have had around 50 complaints so far this year about flying of the Union flag or the Saltire and demanding it is changed

Spotted that bbc article regarding the Israeli flag. Again just highlights how emotive a topic this is.