Moat Brae Opening

Today Joanna Lumley, Fiona Hyslop MSP & Dame Barbara Kelly opened Moat Brae in Dumfries, J. M Barrie's inspiration for Neverland. The Honorary Vexillologist was in attendance, though had to fight his way past Mr Smee on the River Nith's Jolly Roger first.

From our files 100 years ago.

The following arms were matriculated 100 years ago today by Eric de Sioblade Sutherland Rudd-Clarke. The arms, without the Sutherland quarter, had been granted before the Great War by the College of Arms.

Quarterly First and Fourth Argent on a chevron Gules, between three wolves' heads erased Azure, as many roses of the field, barbed and seeded proper and for distinction a canton Sable, for Clarke.Second, Azure a lion rampant Or between two roses in fess Argent barbed and seeded proper, for Rudd; Third, Gules a boar's head erased within an orle of three stars alternately with as many cross crosslets fitchée Or, for Sutherland.

Above the shield are placed two helmets befitting his degree, that on the dexter with a mantling Gules doubled Argent on which is set for crest, issuant from a crown vallary Or, a wolf's head Azure between two wings erect Argent; that on the sinister with a mantling Gules doubled Or and on a wreath of the proper liveries is set for crest, in front of an arm embowed vested Azure, cuffed Or, holding in the hand proper a billet Argent, three mullets in fess Gold, for Rudd.

Motto — " The time will come." 

Banchory Community Council

On May 23rd, the Lord Lyon presented Banchory Community Council with its Coat of Arms.

l to r: The Lord Lieutenant of Kincardineshire, Mrs Carol Kinghorn; The Lord Lyon;  The Chair of Banchory Community Council, Mrs Mary Lennox; The Provost of Aberdeenshire, Mr Bill Howatson. 

The charges on the shield were explained by Ms Annya Law a pupil at Banchory Academy who is also a youth member of the Council.

The occasion was further enhanced by the Scottish Composer Paul Anderson who performed the specially written fiddle tune "The Banchory Coat of Arms".

The Extract of Matriculation was painted by Yvonne Holton, Herald Painter.

New Matriculation of Arms

The Lord Lyon has matriculated arms for Patrick Iain McFarlan of Keithtoun. The artist was Maggie Spalding.

Blazon: Argent on a saltyre waved betwixt four roses Gules, a crescent Or for difference.

Crest: a naked demi man holding furth a sheaf of arrows Proper, a crown Or standing by him.

The Lord Lyon in Australia

The Lord Lyon is in Australia as the guest of the Australian Heraldry Society to give a series of three lectures in four cities. The lecture titles are “The Eight-Pointed Cross “, “Signs of Faith “ and “Illustrated by Symbols”.

Scotland's Churches Trust Annual Recital 2019

Scotland's Churches Trust, of which Lyon, Unicorn and Angus are all trustees, presents its annual recital, in St Columba's Church, Midton Rd, Ayr KA7 2SE, on Wednesday 19th June 2019 at 7.30p.m. Andrew Forbes (organ) and Hedley Benson (trumpet). Admission Free.

Hedley Benson is Principal Trumpet of the BBC SSO and Andrew Forbes is Director of Music at Glasgow Cathedral. They will perform a selection of prayers and dances, including A Suite of Ayres by Jeremiah Clarke, and Geoffrey Burgon’s exquisite Nunc dimittis.

After the concert drinks will be served and an opportunity provided to learn something of the work of the Scotland's Churches Trust is maintaining the ecclesiastical heritage of Scotland.

Scottish National War Memorial

Rothesay Herald (representing the Lord Lyon), Unicorn and Linlithgow were in attendance today at the very moving 92nd Annual Service at the Scottish National War Memorial. The Chrysanthemum Cross was laid by Mrs Raqual Harper-Titchener, a member of the War Widows Association and the Army Widows Association on behalf of all the bereaved families.

The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2019

At the Palace of Holyroodhouse on the evening of Friday 17th May, the Lord Provost of Edinburgh presented the keys of the City to the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, Her Majesty's Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. Lyon, Marchmont and Falkland were on duty.

The Officers of Arms, led by the Lord Lyon were on duty the next day in attendance on Her Majesty's Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, The Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry. The Royal Company of Archers was also in attendance for the first time at this occasion.

On Sunday morning, the Officers of Arms took part in the General Assembly Service at St Giles' Cathedral.

Crail Community Council

On the 18th May the Lord Lyon and Carrick Pursuivant presented the Community Council of Crail with its coat of arms. The Lord Lyon then opened the newly-renovated 16th-century Doocot and planted a cherry tree to mark the day.

The arms are those of the former Royal Burgh rematriculated with the Coronet of a Community Council and painted by Clare McCrory. 

Photographs by Peter Salkeld

Three more flag competitions launched.

Submissions open today for flag competitions to register a flag with the Lyon Office for Benbecula, Eriskay and North Uist. The Honorary Vexillologist to the Lyon Court, Philip Tibbetts, has it all well in hand.

Lyon and Self-Defence

On the evening of the 8th May in Aberdeen, the Lord Lyon attended and completed a Level One Self-defence Class which was conducted by local armiger Ronnie Watt OBE, ORS. The event was held for St John Scotland and raised over £500.

Dennis Collins WS

The Lord Lyon delivered a lecture on the 7^thMay in the City Chambers Dundee on “The Heraldic Papers of Dennis Collins WS” .He was a local solicitor with a lifelong interest in heraldry whose collection of papers spans 60 years and contained considerable material on the “ The Sixth  International Congress of Heraldry and Genealogy “ held in Edinburgh in September 1962. Here are Mr Collins's arms painted by Clare McCrory.

Royal Victorian Order

Last Friday the Quadrennial Service of the Royal Victorian Order took place at St George's Chapel, Windsor. Snawdoun Herald Elizabeth Roads LVO attended and reports sighting several other members of the heraldic community, including Robb Watt, former Chief Herald of Canada, Patric Dickinson, Clarenceux King of Arms, and the heraldic artist Henry Grey. The antependium on display shows the arms, star and collar of George VI and Queen Elizabeth.