The house flag of House flag, Scottish Shire Line Ltd, London. A blue swallow-tailed burgee bearing a white saltire and a red diamond in the centre. The flag is made of a wool and synthetic fibre bunting. It has a cotton hoist and is machine sewn. A rope and toggle is attached. In 1874, the cargo company Turnbull, Martin and Company was founded in Glasgow, Scotland. In 1884 the company began shipping frozen meat as well as ferrying passengers from the UK to New Zealand. In 1893 the Scottish Shire Line’s name originated, as part of Turnbull, Martin and Company, when the company began routes to New Zealand via South Africa and Australia. In 1904, the Scottish Shire Line combined with the British companies Federal Steam Navigation Company and Houlder Line to create the Federal-Houlder-Shire Line, which ran services between the UK, New Zealand, and Australia. The Clan Line acquired the Scottish Shire Line in 1910, however the ships of the Scottish Shire Line retained their names after the acquisition. In 1956 the Clan Line merged with the Union-Castle Line to form the British Commonwealth Shipping Company. By 1963 the Scottish Shire Line was no longer considered a part of this larger company. (Research: Rebecca Hernandez) For online access text please see the 'Notebook' field within the 'Mail' icon.