On Saturday, we had an excellent St Andrew's Day Lecture, given by Dr Gillian Black, Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Edinburgh, who presented a cogent argument for the development of heraldic differencing to respond to changes in the modern family.
After the lecture, our two newest Fellows of the Society, Gordon Casely and Alex Maxwell Findlater, were presented with their fellowship neck-badges by the President, John Malden FHSS FHS.
Another presentation at the event was of certificates to the winner and runner-up of the first HSS Photographic Competition, Leslie Hodgson FHSS and Duncan McAra respectively.
The Annual Dinner of the Society took place at the Royal Scots Club on Saturday evening. Guests included members from England, USA, Australia, and the Japanese Consul. We enjoyed a brilliant speech from Brigadier David Allfrey, the Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Tattoo. Many thanks to Edward for his skill in managing the event and to the staff of the Royal Scots Club for their kind attentions.
Many of the HSS members attended or took part in the Annual St Andrewstide Service the following day at St Giles Cathedral. It rounded off a splendid weekend - many thanks to Social Secretary and Chairman-Elect Edward Mallinson for his peerless organization.
The Service is preceded by the Service of the Order of the Thistle, a quiet prayerful service in the lovely Thistle Chapel.
Our Vice-President Elizabeth Roads, seen here in her robes as Secretary to the Order of the Thistle, organized the Thistle Service. All the Officers of Arms and of the Order were there as Officers attending the Knights of the Order. The Officers of the Order are, in their order: The Dean, The Secretary, Lyon King of Arms, and Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod.
After their short service in the Thistle Chapel, the Knights joined the congregation in St Giles for the public Service, the congregation enlarged by the presence of a wide number of organizations, from the National Trust for Scotland and the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland to the Scouts, Police and Armed Services and Consular Corps. The newest organization there was probably the Association of Burgesses of Edinburgh.
Many members of the Society were in the procession in different capacities but one of the largest groups comprised the many feudal barons and baroness who had attended our Dinner the previous evening, resplendent in their scarlet and ermine robes.
