Voyage of the Scotia 1902-04

The Antarctic

Scottish National Antarctic Expedition flag

This silk St Andrew's Cross or saltire, with one of the initials Scottish National Antarctic Expedition in each of the four diagonal quarters, was made by Mrs Jessie Bruce, wife of William S Bruce, leader of the 1902-1904 Scottish National Antarctic Expedition.

It was taken by Bruce on the expedition and displayed in several locations, such as off the newly discovered Coats Land on 12 March 1904, as recorded in the photograph 037-038.

Vivien Fuchs took it back to Antarctica on the 1956-1958 Trans-Antarctic Expedition, when it was again photographed, this time at the South Pole itself. The flag is now somewhat fragile, and is therefore supported by thin netting.