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Plan Your Visit

Plan your visit to the birthplace of Scotland's National Flag. The Saltire Memorial and Flag Heritage Centre tell the legend of Scotland's Saltire.

Looking for free activities and days out in East Lothian. Entry to the Flag Centre is free at all times. The history of Scotland's flag is a short day trip from Edinburgh. Plan a short walking or cycling tour from Drem Station. You can extend your day by visiting the Hopeton Monument or near by National Museum of Flight.

  • Accessibility

    Overview

    The Saltire Memorial and Flag Heritage Centre tell the history of Scotland's national flag, the Saltire. The Scottish Flag Trust is working to create an all abilities pathway through the site.

    At present some users may find the current paths and steps difficult to negotiate. The Heritage Centre is housed in a 16th Century Doocot with a low door.

    Parking

    Free on-street parking is available next to the main entrance. The drop-off point has a dropped kerb. 

    Toilets

    The site has an accessible toilet open from 1 April to 31 October. The toilet is at the back of the church. There is no adult changing table. 

    Door width 84cm

    Getting around the site

    A main central path of concrete slabs leads from the entrance gate to the church. Other paths are loose gravel and can be difficult going for wheelchair users.

    The Saltire Memorial

    From the entrance turn right, there are two stone steps from the central path to the path leading to the memorial. The memorial can also be viewed from the public pavement.

    The Heritage Centre

    Access from the entrance gate to the Heritage Center at the back of the church is step free following the central path from the entrance gate. After you pass the main church door the path is loose gravel. The path down to the doocot is sloped and uneven.

    The centre itself is in a 16th Century Doocot. The door to the doocot is low and visitors have to bend down to enter. 

    The centre has low lighting which activates automatically when visitors enter. 

    Door width 74 cm, height 1.35m, depth 1m

    door to the flag Heritage Centre

    The View Point

    Visitors leave the path and cross onto the grass down a slight incline to access the viewpoint. 

  • Getting Here

    National Flag Heritage Centre
    Athelstaneford Parish Church
    Main Street
    Athelstaneford
    East Lothian
    EH39 5BE

    Get directions on Google Maps

    National Grid Reference: NT532773

    Plan your Journey

    Plan your journey on public transport through Travel Line Scotland

    The church is next to the main bus stop in Athelstaneford.

    By Bus – Eve Coaches service 121 stops directly outside the church, check the latest bus timetable 

    By Train – Drem is the closest station to Athelstaneford, approximately 15minutes by bike, ten minutes by bus. Check the latest train timetable.

    Cycle

    There is a network of pathways and cycle routes through the stunning East Lothian countryside linking directly to Athelstaneford. Drem is the cloest train station, a short mostly flat cycle. The historic market town of Haddington is approximately 30 minutes cycle. 

  • Opening Times

    You can visit the Saltire Memorial, walk the grounds of the church and visit the view point all year round. 

    The Flag Herritage Centre is open from 1 April to 31 October.
    Opening times: 9am to 6pm every day.