Robert Pichette RIP

We record with sadness the death of Robert Pichette, Dauphin Herald Extraordinary at the Canadian Heraldic Authority, who recorded arms at the Lyon Court in 1970.

Blazon: Gules three water pitchers Ermine two addorsed in chief and the third in base, a bordure engrailed Or. 

Crest: a demi-lion Sable enflamed Or sustaining with his dexter paw a milestone of the Second enumerated XIV.

Sir Conrad Swan RIP -Hatchment

The Toronto Branch of the Royal Heraldry Society of Canada of which he was patron, has commissioned a hatchment for Sir Conrad Swan, late Garter King of Arms from Ilona Jurkiewicz. It will be dedicated next month at Sir Conrad's former parish church of Our Lady of Assumption, Toronto.

Unicorn at Westminster Abbey

Unicorn yesterday attended the 750th Anniversary Service of the re-founding of Westminster Abbey by King Henry III of England.

Robert Bruce

Master Robert Bruce, son of Marchmont Herald, was on duty today as a Page of Honour to Her Majesty the Queen at the Opening of Parliament.

St John Henry Newman

This morning in Rome, John Henry Cardinal Newman is raised to the altars of the Church. A differenced version of his arms was recorded by Cardinal Newman High School in Bellshill. The tapestries bearing the portraits of the five new saints bear the arms of Pope Francis.

Lyon Decisions now posted on website

On 4th December 2018, the Lord Lyon found in favour of Sir William St Clair Inglis of Nether-Cramond Baronet, represented by Sir Crispin Agnew Bt. QC, Rothesay Herald, with Confirmation of Coat of Arms.. http://www.courtofthelordlyon.scot/index_htm_files/NetherCramond.pdf


On 19/9/2019 the Lord Lyon found Dr Simon Peter Carruthers of Holmains, represented by Sir Crispin Agnew Bt. QC, Rothesay Herald, entitled to be recognised as Chief of the Name and Arms of Carruthers, a chiefship dormant since 1809. https://courtofthelordlyon.scot/index_htm_files/CarruthersDecision.pdf

Falkland Pursuivant Extraordinary

At the 137th annual business meeting of the Glasgow Highland Club, in retiring from the presidency, Roderick MacPherson, Falkland Pursuivant, donated the illustrated gold brooch, to serve in all time coming as the badge of office of the current president.

It was once the property of his uncle, Sheriff A. C. Macpherson (1939-99), who joined in 1958 and was a very distinguished president. At the 1886 annual meeting, the Club decided to adopt this design of badge and the motto “Dìleas d’a chèile” (Faithful to each other).

Botanical Artists

The Herald Painter, Yvonne Holton Dingwall Pursuivant, along with Court Artists, Maggie Spalding and Clare McCrory, hosted two visits to the Lyon Office by the Scottish Society of Botanical Artists and others interested in that aspect of art.

Snawdoun in Stirling

Snawdoun Herald attended, and played a major part in the organization of, a Gala Dinner in Stirling Castle with the Princess Royal, celebrating the 900th anniversary of the Stirling Guildry.

Unicorn in Glasgow

On Friday 5th October, Unicorn Pursuivant gave the after-dinner speech to the Old Boys' Association of Fort Augustus Abbey School, at La Bonne Auberge in Glasgow. He gave a brief introduction to the heraldry on the Donors' Windows which can still be seen in the former abbey, now an hotel.

Lyon's Lecture

On the 5th October the Lord Lyon streamed a live video lecture to the Scottish North American Leadership Conference on Genealogy and the Scottish North American Diaspora in Troy, Detroit . His lecture was entitled “Recent Developments in the Lyon Court Practices."

Viscount Dunrossil spoke at the banquet and Dr Bruce Durie of Edinburgh also spoke at one of the sessions.

Lyon's lecture can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_IxJ5M0LPP8 - Dr Durie introduces him at about 3.30 on the recording.

College of Nautical Studies

Yesterday, the Lord Lyon attended the 50 year Celebration Dinner in Glasgow City Chambers of the Nautical College on the Clyde which is now part of the City of Glasgow College. The principal guest was the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Tony Radakin, CB ADC. Lyon Morrow granted arms to City of Glasgow College in 2016.

Lyon in Dumfries

The Lord Lyon gave a lecture entitled “The Law of Scots Heraldry “ in Dumfries to the University of the 3^rd Age, Dumfries. There were around 150 people signed up for the lecture and question and answer session.

Here are the lovely arms recorded in 1931 for the Royal Burgh of Dumfries.