Call to give Saltire pride of place

The Scottish Government is facing calls to erect a new flagpole at Edinburgh Castle, allowing the Saltire to fly above the Union flag.

MSPs considered the call in a petition yesterday after the Army, which has a base at the castle, refused requests to replace the British flag with a Saltire.

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

However, Holyrood's petitions committee has considered a call to erect a 90ft flagpole in Crown Square in the castle, which would allow a Saltire to be flown there 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 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, petitioners want it to be given a "rightful premier position on Scotland`s foremost tourist attraction". The petition was lodged by Mark Hirst on behalf of the campaign group Saltire Scotland.

The committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, which owns the castle, and Historic Scotland, which manages the castle on its behalf. They will also seek the views of the MoD.