East Garleton, Steading

Explorer Tom The Flag Heritage Centre has found a wonderfully Scottish place to tell the Saltire story: an old pigeon house beside Athelstaneford church. Duck into the sixteenth century doocot and listen to the tale of a cross appearing in the sky over a ninth century battle; the birds have moved out, but the drama has clearly refused to leave. The Scottish Flag Trust runs this little centre inside a lectern doocot built in 1583 by George Hepburn and restored in 1996. Its short audiovisual presentation dramatises the legend associated with the St Andrew's Cross, Scotland's national flag. A viewpoint outside has an interpretation panel and looks north towards the supposed battle site. The building has its own more down to earth history. Doocots once kept pigeons for winter food, effectively a feathered larder before modern storage made that job less appealing. The trust points out the Hepburn family's arms on the door lintel. George's son, Sir John Hepburn, later became the founder and first colonel of the Royal Scots, a regiment that adopted the Saltire as an emblem. One small building has managed to squeeze in farming, family history and a national symbol without looking remotely overworked. The Flag Heritage Centre is at Athelstaneford, north of the church. The trust publishes seasonal opening from April to the end of October, 9 in the morning until 6 in the evening; the nearby memorial and graveyard are listed as open throughout the year. Check current arrangements before travelling. Look at the view after the film, then decide for yourself how a cross in a legendary sky became a flag known far beyond this quiet village.