To the Forum regarding the XMTSAS Saltire

[macwilkin]

I think jamies intentions are quite clear in a "Flight of the Saltire" posting by Jamie on 28 April 2009

"It is always nice to have her return home, but the Saltire and the goodwill she spreads belong to all the good members of X Marks the Scot.com.

May she continue to travel far in friendship!

Cheers

Jamie"

Clearly Jamie's intent at that time was that the Saltire belonged to all members and that its home port was where he lived. Just as all vessels (air, sea, land) have a home port

Perhaps we should late Jamie himself answer this, rather than trying to answer for him.

I appreciate the fact that you and Mike would like to see the Saltire visit Australia & South Africa. I personally liked the suggestion of a Saltire flag to replace the wee airship, or maybe even a commemorative quaich, inscribed with a sentiment and so forth, that could symbolize the tradition of offering a wee dram to a guest at your threshold when entering your house.

Some mentioned that flags become dirty and frayed -- remember that the most treasured flags, regimental standards, are dirty and frayed, given their long and storied records in combat -- regimental colours are frequently retired to chapels, museums, etc. I rather like the idea of an XMarks colour being retired somewhere after its "service" in friendship.

Respectfully,

Todd

[artificer]

Some mentioned that flags become dirty and frayed -- remember that the most treasured flags, regimental standards, are dirty and frayed, given their long and storied records in combat -- regimental colours are frequently retired to chapels, museums, etc. I rather like the idea of an XMarks colour being retired somewhere after its "service" in friendship.

Respectfully,

Todd

Respectfully,

Todd

Aye, I'm that "some" , more to the point, it's an awkward thing to handle a flag on your lonesome, especially when it's not on a pole.

The Saltire already represents something... Scotland. We'd just be appropriating it. To me, it just smacks of 'wrong'. We don't represent all of Scotland (they don't even wear the kilt unless it's a wedding or big event).
Putting a flag in 'compromising' poses smacks of impropriety to me (unless it's all our, and then we can do whatever the h@ll we want with it).

I think we need a new symbol. Don't ask me what that should be, just yet.
just my $0.02
ith:

[macwilkin]

Aye, I'm that "some" , more to the point, it's an awkward thing to handle a flag on your lonesome, especially when it's not on a pole.

The Saltire already represents something... Scotland. We'd just be appropriating it. To me, it just smacks of 'wrong'. We don't represent all of Scotland (they don't even wear the kilt unless it's a wedding or big event).
Putting a flag in 'compromising' poses smacks of impropriety to me (unless it's all our, and then we can do whatever the h@ll we want with it).

I think we need a new symbol. Don't ask me what that should be, just yet.
just my $0.02
ith:

I respectfully disagree. I believe our own English Bloke has posted photos of an Aussie mate of his that travels with a small Australian Army flag around the world, and seems to have no issue with handling a flag on his lonesome.

And the flag itself doesn't necessarily have to be a Saltire -- why not a small banner with the Xmarks crest badge? A firm such as Caberdancer, which makes personal heraldic banners for armigers could no doubt come up with something nice and compact. No issue with "compromising" photos then.

We already have a symbol in the Xmarks badge. No need to reinvent the wheel.

T.

[Zardoz]

I like the commemorative quaich idea Todd, it's got the right symbolism and is portable. It could be accompanied by a 'guest book' folks could sign etc..

[English Bloke]

My mate Shane (left, and my other mate Dave, right) with the JLU (North) travelling flag at last years Burns Bash at Ferintosh.

The flag is carried by any member of the unit who goes off to somewhere interesting and it has been photograhed around the world (quite often in Bali apparently) in interesting situations and with interesting people ... I believe the flag has it's own facebook page which documents it's adventures.


Incidentally. The X Marks Saltire was at the same function in Dumfries.

Some other flag pics:


Anzac Day 2010 at the Australian National Memorial at Villers Bretonneux, France.


In a French Pub with more Australians.

[RockyR]

I like the commemorative quaich idea Todd, it's got the right symbolism and is portable. It could be accompanied by a 'guest book' folks could sign etc..

Ditto... If Jamie won't re-consider donating the airship to the membership of Xmarks, then I think a Quaich would be a good idea. There are different sizes and shapes. Some are made roughly 3.5" diameter or so and very shallow (more of a decorative thing). I think that would be a good start.... it would fit in a small box (the size of a VHS tape) and be reliatively light to ship. It represents welcoming and friendship. It has nothing to do with 'old ideas'. I think it sounds perfect.

[davedove]

And the flag itself doesn't necessarily have to be a Saltire -- why not a small banner with the Xmarks crest badge? A firm such as Caberdancer, which makes personal heraldic banners for armigers could no doubt come up with something nice and compact. No issue with "compromising" photos then.

We already have a symbol in the Xmarks badge. No need to reinvent the wheel.

T.

I thought of this as well, Todd. But how about a clan banner of the XMTS tartan with the badge embroidered on it? It certainly wouldn't have to be as large as a normal clan banner, but it would certainly represent the membership.