Royal Burgh with Compartment 1

By the early 1970s, when they were abolished, Scotland had nearly 70 Royal burghs. Some were created as early as the 12th century and many much later. In 1977, on being asked a question in the House of Commons, the Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, Frank McElhone MP, replied: 
"There is no statutory ban to the continuance of historic titles for other purposes." which has enabled some Community Councils to assume the title of "Royal Burgh".

In
 Volume 1 of the Lyon Register, a number of Royal Burghs had their historic arms accepted including Elgin in 1678 which also had a curious phrase about a compartment . Volume 1 has no illustrations but in 1888 the then Lyon Clerk allowed Elgin's arms to be painted in along with the phrase "Upon ane compartment suitabill to a Burgh Royall."

"ane compartment suitabill to a Burgh Royall".

The next appearance of the Royal Burgh Compartment, although not specified in the blazon, seems to be Rutherglen in 1889 (12/14):