Lyon in Greenock

On the 30th November the Lord Lyon proposed the Toast to St Andrew and Scotland at the Greenock Burns Club Dinner. He was honoured by being made an Honorary Member of the Mother Club.

New Grant of Arms

The Lord Lyon has granted Arms to Hugh Gaven Matthew Love. The artist is Clare McCrory.

The blazon is: Barry of six Argent and Azure, on a chief of the Second three saltires flory of the First. Crest: A natural demi-archer Proper drawing a bow Or.

Visit of Tim Noad from the College of Arms

The Lyon Office was pleased to be visited by Tim Noad, one of the Herald Painters at the College of Arms. Tim is pictured with the Lyon Clerk (Russell Hunter), the Herald Painter at the Court of the Lord Lyon (Yvonne Holton) and Heraldic Artist Clare McCrory.

Lyon at Stonehaven Exhibition Opening

The Lord Lyon attended the launch of a new exhibition in St James Church, Stonehaven called “Priests and Pipes”. The exhibition celebrates three centuries of the use of the organ in church music.

Of particular interest was the work of North East organ builders John Wardle who over 58 years built some 168 organs. A specially commissioned piece by a young Stonehaven composer Benjamin McMillan called Wardle’s Calling was played by the composer.

Snawdoun Lecture

Snawdoun Herald gave a talk to the members of the Institute of Marketing on "Heraldry v. Logos".

New Grant of Arms

The Lord Lyon has granted Arms to William Ramsay McGhee. The artist was Yvonne Holton, Herald Painter and Dingwall Pursuivant.

The blazon is: Vert on a fess dancetty Or between in chief three leopards' heads erased Argent and in base an anchor Or, two batons Proper in Saltire. Crest: A hawthorn bush Proper charged with a celtic cross Or.

New Grant of Arms

The Lord Lyon has granted Arms to Lt Col. Iain Andrew Davidson. The artist is Clare McCrory.

The blazon is:Azure, on a fess embattled Argent between an anchor between two pheons of the Second in chief and a Highland Officer's sword and an Infantry patterns sword in saltire Proper, in base a stag couchant Gules. Crest: A phoenix rising Proper holding in its dexter claw a caduceus Proper.

New Matriculation of Arms

The Lord Lyon has matriculated Arms for Ian John Spens of Lathallan, Younger. The artist was Yvonne Holton, Herald Painter and Dingwall Puruivant.

The blazon is: Quarterly, first and fourth Or, a lion rampant Gules within a bordure of the Last charged with eight roses Argent, second and third gyronny of eight Or and Sable. (Debruised in the lifetime of his mother by a three point label Azure)

Falkland Lecture

Falkland Pursuivant Extraordinary gave a lecture this evening on behalf of the Grand Antiquity Society of Glasgow on the influence of Robert Adam, in whose mighty Glasgow Trades Hall the lecture was given, on the architecture of Glasgow.

New Artist at the Lyon Office.

We welcome a new heraldic artist to the Lyon Office - Sara Jane Coomer.

Clare McCrory - Thirty Years at the Lyon Office

Today marked the 30th anniversary for artist Clare McCrory working at the Lyon Office. Congratulations to Clare for her artistry and dedication.

Lyon at the Royal Company of Merchants

The Lord Lyon attended on the 8th November the Kirking of the new Master of the Royal Company of  Merchants of the City of Edinburgh. The new Master is Mr Peter Hillier and the Service held in St Giles Cathedral was conducted by  the Company Chaplain. Revd Charles Robertson LVO.

Proclamation of the Calling of a New Westminster Parliament

Today at noon, the Lord Lyon, accompanied by the Macer and Officers of Arms, read the Royal Proclamation summoning a new Parliament, the current one now being dissolved. Balaklava Company 5 SCOTS and the Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland were in attendance.

Proclamation

The Royal Proclamation of the Dissolution of Parliament by the Lord Lyon  takes place at the Mercat Cross. Edinburgh, on Thursday November 7th  at noon.

Honorary Vexillologist's Skye Tour continues

Continuing his tour of Skye the Honorary Vexillologist spoke to Knockbreck Primary, Portree Primary and Bun-Sgoil Ghaidhlig Phort Righ. He was pleased to have been applauded for opening and ending his talk in Gaelic! The students came up with great ideas for a Skye flag.

Lyon to deliver Armitstead Lecture

The Lord Lyon will deliver one of the 132nd  Armitstead Series of Lectures on Friday the 8th November in the Dundee University Dalhousie Building at 7.30pm .The lecture is entitled “Discovering Heraldry - Exploring the Treasures of Arms Associated with Dundee". All welcome.

Lyon Sir Francis Grant

Mrs Jacqui McKay, the great-grand-daughter of Sir Francis Grant, Lord Lyon from 1929-1945 and Lyon Clerk from 1898- 1929, attended at the Lyon Office on the 6th November to present a collection of memorabilia relating to Lyon Grant.

Vexillologist at large

Phillip Tibbetts, Honorary Vexillologist to the Lyon Court, is on the road again in his mission to promote community flags, chosen by local competitions. He has started a tour of Skye primary schools for the Skye Flag Competition speaking at Edinbane, Kilmuir and Elgol where the children all had lots of questions on heraldry. He used the Caithness flag as an example.

Ms Lorna Irving RIP

It is with great sadness that we note the untimely death on holiday of our dear secretary, Lorna Irving. In a few years at the Lyon Office, Lorna established herself as a warm and friendly presence, prepared to go to immense lengths to help all enquirers and visitors. We send our sincere condolences to her family. May her sweet soul rest in peace.

Lorna's Funeral service will be held at West Lothian Crematorium, Livingston, on Friday, November 8, at 10am. Family flowers only, please.