For World Book Day, another fine painting from the era, possibly even the hand, of Herald Painter Graham Johnston or his successor Law Samson. Many schools and universities use a book as a symbol of learning but it is less common in private arms.
The arms of Sir William McLintock 1st Baronet: Azure a book expanded Or leaved Gules over all a writing pen paleways Proper.
We mark Pancake Tuesday with the splendid arms of the Incorporation of Bakers and of Glasgow.
Gules a hand paleways proper holding a balance between three garbs Or on a chief barry of six Azure and Argent between two foul anchors Sable, the eye of Justice irradiated shining on clouds proper from which the hand descends.
Fish on Friday: the arms of Margaret Mary Torbet 1964: Bendy wavy of nine Azure and Or three turbot fish naiant Argent speckled finned and tailed Gules a bordure of the Third.
The rare privilege of supporters, which hold up the shield, is granted a little more generously in Scotland than in England at the discretion of the Lord Lyon.
The splendid 1828 arms of Pringle of Whytbank and Yair show a type of supporter the French would call tenants - i.e. human figures, in this case "pilgrims habited proper." The scallop shells of St James of Compostella give a clue as to the nature of the pilgrimage, the Pringles claiming to have accompanied Sir James Douglas there with the heart of Robert the Bruce.
The Lord Lyon as Patron of the Association of Genealogists and Researchers in Archives attended the AGM in the Augustine Church on the 7th February. Another successful year was marked.
Candlemas Day: here are the arms of the Incorporation of Candlemakers of Edinburgh.
On Holocaust Memorial Day, we remember Kurt Hahn, jailed in 1933 for daring to speak out against the Nazis and who came to Scotland to found Gordonstoun School. The School was granted arms in 1957.
Happy Burns Night, we think of the bard's heraldic ambitions as expressed in a letter of March 1794 to his friend, the Edinburgh lawyer Alexander Cunningham when he described himself as "a bit of a herald" and designed his own coat of arms.
This afternoon, the Lord Lyon, Unicorn and Bute Pursuivants attended a fascinating talk on Digital Heraldry given by Kevin Greig, Office Manager at the Lyon Office, to the Heraldry Society of Scotland.
The Lord Lyon, with Lyon Macer and Unicorn and Carrick Pursuivants, attended an Ecumenical Service at Glasgow Cathedral marking the City's 850th anniversary. Lyon read out the City's 1175 Charter of King William the Lion, granting the privilege of having a Burgh at Glasgow.
Today is the Feast of Glasgow's Patron Saint, St Mungo or Kentigern. The City's arms, which use elements from stories of the saint's life, have spawned dozens of coats of arms for institutions and people associated with the city.
Argent, on a mount in base Vert an oak tree Proper, the stem at the base thereof surmounted by a salmon on its back also Proper, with a signet ring in its mouth Or; on the top of the tree a redbreast, and in the sinister fess point an ancient handbell, both also Proper. Above the Shield is placed a suitable Helmet, with a Mantling Gules doubled Argent, and, issuing out of a Wreath of the proper Liveries, is set for Crest the half-length figure of Saint Kentigern affrontee vested and mitred, his right hand raised in the act of benediction, and having in his left hand a crosier, all Proper; in a Compartment below the Shield are placed for Supporters two salmon Proper, each holding in its mouth a signet ring Or; and in an Escrol entwined with the Compartment this Motto "Let Glasgow Flourish".
The Lord Lyon, accompanied by Bute Pursuivant and March Pursuivant Extraordinary, attended the launch of the winning community flag for Bothwell, designed by Ava, aged ten, at Bothwell Parish Church. Michael Shanks MP attended the event.
The Lord Lyon was privileged to be asked to open the new Hub for Support at Clydeview Academy Gourock.
He was welcomed to the school by the Head Teacher Mr Craig Gibson, the Head Boy and Girl and the excellent school piper.
