Grant of Supporters to the Lord Lyon

The Lord Lyon has been granted supporters as is usual for holders of this historic office. The grant was made by the Lord Lyon ad interim, Mrs Elizabeth Roads, in December 2017. This is an historic document as it is the first Letters Patent issued from the Lyon Office by a female Lord Lyon (ad interim). The painting is by Yvonne Holton.

New Lyon Macer is given his Commission

Before the ceremony at the Mercat Cross, the new Lyon Macer, David Walker, was presented with his Commission, another beautiful piece of calligraphy by Annette Reed.

The Mercat Cross

The Lord Lyon King of Arms, accompanied by the Lord Provost of Edinburgh, the Lord Justice Clerk and the Officers of Arms, with Balaklava Company and the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, witnessed the rededication by the Minister of St Giles of the refurbished Mercat Cross of Edinburgh.

Sir Malcolm's 80th Birthday

Today marks the eightieth birthday of Sir Malcolm Innes of Edingight, Lord Lyon 1981-2001. Ad multos annos!

Sir William Haughey, Baron Haughey of Hutchesontown

The Lord Lyon has granted arms to Lord Haughey.

The blazon for the shield is: Per chevron flory of three on the upper edge Gules and Or.

Italian Television

I was very amused last night to see this on a quiz show, L'Eredita, on Italian television:

translation: according to the Scottish Tartans Authority, in everyday life what is it forbidden to wear with a kilt?

1. Underpants.  2. Flip-flops.  3. Milk-white hose  4. T-Shirt.

This reminded me of the late David Lumsden of Cushnie, Garioch Pursuivant to the Countess of Mar who carried printed cards to slip quietly to offenders who wore white socks with a kilt.

General Assembly Service

The Officers of Arms were out again on Sunday morning at the Assembly Service, which included the glorious Pentecost motet, Factus est Repente by James MacMillan.

General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland opened on Saturday. As well as the Officers of Arms and the Lord High Commissioner, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, the procession included the Earl of Erroll as Lord High Constable of Scotland, and the Duke of Argyll as Master of the Royal Household. The Earl of Dundee as Hereditary Royal Standard Bearer bore the lion rampant, while a representative of the Earl of Lauderdale, as Hereditary Bearer of the National Flag of Scotland, bore the saltire.

 

Before the Opening Ceremony, the Officers of Arms attended His Grace the High Commissioner in the Throne Room of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

left to right: The Lord Lyon, Rothesay, Snawdoun, Marchmont, Dingwall, Unicorn, Carrick, Linlithgow and Falkland

From our files 100 years ago today....

Today was the 100th anniversary of yet another of the wonderful paintings of Graham Johnston, Herald Painter from 1898 until his death in 1927. These are the arms of Brigadier General John Colin Livington Campbell of Achalader.

Video-Message from Lyon to The Society of Messengers at Arms and Sheriff Officers

The Society of Messengers at Arms and Sheriff Officers, of which the Lord Lyon is Honorary President, has commissioned a short film for the 23rd Congress of the International Union of Judicial Officers held today in Bangkok. The film was made by Gavin McNae of Facilit-e (fac.46.com)

Snawdoun at St Andrews

Snawdoun Herald today unveiled a plaque commemorating Sir George Douglas of Lochleven at Dean’s Court, just below his arms above the gateway, at the University of St Andrews. The plaques were the initiative of Colin McAllister and a culmination of 9 years’ research and work.

Visit of the Society of Antiquaries

A group from the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland visited the Lyon Office this afternoon and was entertained by Elizabeth Roads, Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records, and artist David Allan.

New Lyon Macer Installed

The new Lyon Macer is David Allan Walker, Messenger-at-Arms, of the firm of Walker Love. He is a third generation messenger, a past president of the Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers (of whom Lyon is Honorary President), and an office bearer of the International Union of Judicial Officers (UIHJ). 

Swearing in of Falkland

Roderick Macpherson, formerly Lyon Macer, was sworn in as Falkland Pursuivant Extraordinary by the Lord Lyon today in the presence of Snawdoun and Dingwall.