Crest of the Day: The 12th Earl of Stair

Today's crest belongs to the 12th Earl of Stair (1879-1961) 

The Herald Painter of the period (the arms date from 1895) was Andrew Ferguson Bainbridge. 

Crest:a rock Proper.

Crest of the Day: 11th and 12th Earls of Haddington.

Today's crest belongs to both George Baillie-Hamilton-Arden 11th Earl of Haddington (1827-1917) and his grandson George Baillie-Hamilton, 12th Earl of Haddington (1894-1986).

                                   12th Earl of Haddington  © National Portrait Gallery, London

Crest: two dexter hands issuing out of clouds conjoined fessways and holding between them a branch of laurel erect.

Crest of the Day: Marshal of the Royal Air Force Baron Cameron of Balhousie

Today's crest belongs to Marshal of the Royal Air Force Neil Cameron,  Baron Cameron of Balhousie (1920-1985).


An eagle wings elevated Proper gorged with a collar chequy Azure and Argent.

Crest of the Day: Viscount Novar

Today's crest belongs to Ronald Munro-Ferguson, Viscount Novar (1860-1934)  a former Governor General of Australia and Secretary of State for Scotland.

A demi-lion rampant Or langued Gules holding between both paws a buckle Gules.

Lyon at the Scottish Fire and Rescue Headquarters

On the 5th July, the Lord Lyon paid a visit to the Scottish Fire and Rescue Headquarters at Cambuslang. He was welcomed and held a meeting with the Chief Fire Officer, Martin Blunden. The arms and badge were granted in 1949 with, it seems, the intention that the then local areas would impale as did the Central Fire Area the following year.

Crest of the Day: Sir Harald Leslie, Lord Birsay (1905-1982)

Another crest not yet on show at the Biggar Exhibition, is that of Sir Harald Leslie, Lord Birsay (1905-1982).

A demi-griffin contournée Proper.

Here is his memorial tablet in St Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall.

Lyon at the Castle

The Lord Lyon was the guest of the Edinburgh Castle Officers' Mess on the 4th July at the Beating of the Retreat on Crown Square. The band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland was on duty.

Crest of the Day: Marquess of Zetland

Another crest, sadly not on display in Biggar but it was shown at the Glasgow Exhibition in 2017 and much admired: 1st Marquess of Zetland (1844-1929):

A lion's head affronty Proper crowned with an antique crown Or, within an oak bush Proper fructed Or.

Crest of the Day: 8th Duke of Roxburghe

Although for reasons of space, this one did not make the cut for the Biggar Exhibition, it is a great example of the carver's art so here it is anyway: Henry John Innes-Ker 8th Duke of Roxburghe (1876-1932):

A unicorn's head erased Argent armed and crined Or .

Edinburgh Napier University

Today the Lord Lyon attended the morning Graduation Ceremony as an Honorary Graduate of Edinburgh Napier University. He sends his congratulations to all those who graduated at this time.

Crest of the Day: Earl of Wemyss and March

Among the Crests of the Order of the Thistle on display at Biggar Museum until August 10th, is a dexter hand holding up a dagger paleways Proper belonging to Francis David Charteris, 12th Earl of Wemyss and 8th Earl of March (1912-2008).

Crest of the Day: Baron Thomson of Monifieth

Among the Crests of the Order of the Thistle on display at Biggar Museum until August 10th, is the
"stag's head erased Or attired Gules, gorged of a collar dancetty Vert" of George Morgan Thomson, Baron Thomson of Monifieth (1921–2008).

Crest of the Day: 7th Earl of Aberdeen

John Campbell Hamilton-Gordon, 1st Marquess of Aberdeen and Temair KT KP GCMG GCVO PC (1847 – 1934), known as The Earl of Aberdeen from 1870 to 1916, as well as serving twice as Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, appropriately for today's celebration of Canada Day  he was the seventh Governor General of Canada.

Crest: two arms holding a bow and arrow straight upward in a shooting posture and at full draught all Proper.