MSPs to look into a Saltire at the Castle

MSPs have agreed to forward a call for the Saltire to be flown above the Union flag at Edinburgh Castle to the relevant authorities.

Campaign group the Saltire Society submitted a petition to the Scottish Parliament calling for a new flagpole to be installed at the Castle after the Army, which has a base there, refused requests to replace the British flag with a Saltire.

Scottish Nationalist MSPs have lodged a motion in the parliament calling for the Union flag to be taken down at David's Tower.

But Holyrood's petitions committee considered the call to erect a 90ft high flagpole in Crown Square in the Castle, which would allow a Saltire to be flown on a permanent basis.

Nationalist MSP Anne McLaughlin said: "The petitioner has put forward a compromise suggestion that would allow that flag to continue to be flown, whilst we're still part of Britain, but ensures that Scotland's flag is flown from the highest point on the castle. I would support the petition."

Although a Saltire does fly at the castle, the petitioners want to see it given its "rightful premier position".

The committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, which owns the Castle, and Historic Scotland, which manages the Castle. They are also to seek the views of the Ministry of Defence.