Frequently Asked Questions |
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The SAHC's Life Members |
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The SAHC recognises members who have made a significant contribution to meeting the Council's objectives in support of Scottish culture and heritage in Australia. A list of the SAHC's Honoured Guests from 2013 to the present is provided at the following link: SAHC Life Members list |
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The SAHC's Honoured Guests for Scottish Week |
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Each year the Scottish Australian Heritage Council invites emminent guests from around the world who have a connection with Scottish heritage and culture to participate in Scottish Week. A list of the SAHC's Honoured Guests from 1992 to the present is provided at the following link: SAHC's Honoured Guests list |
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The Australia Tartan |
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 Source: www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=141 |
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The Scottish Register of Tartans - STA ref: 611, STWR ref: 611 Designer: John Reid, Tartan date: 01/01/1984, Category: District. Registration notes: The Australia tartan (also known as the Australian tartan) was designed by John Reid, a Melbourne architect, as the result of a national competition held by the Scottish Australian Heritage Council to celebrate Australia’s Bicentenary in 1988. He based his design on the warm colours of the 'outback' and the pattern of the tartan of Lachlan Macquarie, who became the second Scottish born Governor of the Australian Colony of New South Wales in 1809. The tartan is design registered in Australia (No. 97439). (Source: District Tartans, P. Smith and G Teall, 1992). It was proclaimed as Australia’s National Tartan when launched in Sydney at the 1988 Scottish Week by Guest of Honour the Rt Hon. The Countess of Sutherland. |
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The Scottish Australian flag |
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The Scottish Australian flag was raised for the first time on 21 July 1988 at the Duesburys Building, Sydney, overlooking the site of the first Government House. The distinctive red, gold and blue flag was broken out by the Chairman of the Scottish Australian Heritage Council, William MacLennan, Chieftain in Clan MacLennan. Featuring the Cross of St Andrew on a blue field, the red lion rampant of Scotland on a golden shield and the stars of the Southern Cross, the flag links the traditional symbols of Scotland with Australia. During the flag raising ceremony the following blessing was given by the Rev David Inglis, Minister, The Scots Kirk, Sydney: "Almighty God, Creator and Father of all people, Leader and guide of all nations, who created all mankind of one blood to live together, we give praise and thanks as we break out this flag, realising our separate histories, our common traditions, and the close bonds that unite us.Jonathan Dixon 22 January 2004 The designer of the Scottish-Australian flag is John Vaughan, former owner of Australiana Flags. John is one of Australia's premier vexillogolists and principal spokesman for the Australian National Flag Association. Australiana Flags: 2/175 Sailors Bay Road, Northbridge NSW 2063 Phone: (02) 9958 3246 www.australianaflags.com.au Sources: www.australianaflags.com.au/default.php?content=flags/scottishaustralianflag.php www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/au_ances.html#scot |
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Who can call themselves a "Laird", "Lord" or "Lady"? (about Souvenir plots of land schemes) |
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Schemes that say they 'sell' a small plot of land and title of Lord, Laird or Lady are disrespectful of Scottish culture and heritage. The Scottish Australian Heritage Council does not support these schemes. This information is being offered in the spirit of consumer advice to anyone considering taking up the offer to become the "owner" of a square foot of land (especially in Scotland). The transaction is actually a private contract and ownership in terms of Scottish law is not transferred, so the 'purchaser' does not own the plot of land. Under Scots law, ownership of land passes from seller to buyer by registration in the Land Register of Scotland. No registration? Then no transfer. This is currently set out at section 50 of the Land Registration etc (Scotland) Act 2012. The fact that no ownership passes to the 'purchaser' of a plot, as land in Scotland can only be transferred through registration which is expressly prohibited by statute in the case of souvenir plots, means that no title can be obtained on the basis of becoming a 'Scottish landowner.' In Scotland the term ‘laird’ is NOT the same as a ‘lord’ or ‘lady’. 'Purchase' of a souvenir plot of land is not sufficient to bring a person otherwise ineligible within the jurisdiction of the Lord Lyon for the purpose of seeking a Grant of Arms. A title cannot come with the 'purchase' of a souvenir plot of land in Scotland. But the Land Register does not accept souvenir plots: this rule is set out at section 22 of the 2012 Act. So if a company sells a souvenir plot, the sale cannot be completed. The 'buyer' of the plot does not become owner of the plot. Ownership of such plots remains with the company. Lord Lyon "The term ‘laird’ has generally been applied to the owner of an estate, sometimes by the owner himself or, more commonly, by those living and working on the estate. It is a description rather than a title, and is not appropriate for the owner of a normal residential property, far less the owner of a small souvenir plot of land. It goes without saying that the term ‘laird’ is not synonymous with that of ‘lord’ or ‘lady’.Society of Scottish Armigers Reference: www.scotarmigers.net/faq.htm "Q7. What is a 'laird'? Is it the same as a Lord? No, it is not the same at all.Other articles An article about Laird Lord and Lady titles was published in The Times (UK) on Friday 5 August 2016. It appears that some people have been so taken in by the advertising claiming you can become a Laird, Lord or Lady by owning a souvenir plot of land, that they've been applying for a coat of arms from Lord Lyon. The headline reads "Buying piece of Scotland doesn’t make you a laird or lady". The start of The Times article can be seen HERE, and a full copy of an open access version is archived HERE. The Guardian (UK) also picked up on the story on Monday 8 August 2016 HERE. |
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Can I fly the Royal Arms of Scotland (the “Lion Rampant”)? |
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The short answer is, "No." This is not a national flag and its use by citizens and corporate bodies is entirely wrong. The flag is actually the Royal Standard of the King or Queen of Scots and it remains the personal banner of the monarch; as such its use is, strictly speaking, restricted. Although the flag can still be seen at soccer matches and King George V gave permission for Scots to fly small versions of the flag in 1935 for patriotic reasons, 100 pound fines put forth in the 1672 legislation are still levied upon anyone in Scotland that tries to fly the flag on a flagpole or post it from a building. The following sources provide guidance on when the flag can be flown. Scottish Parliament Reference: www.royal.uk/royal-banner-royal-arms-scotland When Her Majesty The Queen is present in the Scottish Parliament. The Royal Arms of Scotland (the “Lion Rampant”) is The Queen’s official banner in Scotland and will be hoisted when Her Majesty The Queen enters the Scottish Parliament building and will be lowered when The Queen departs. It is not to be hoisted when The Queen is only passing in procession. The Royal Arms of Scotland shall be flown in the superior position with the Saltire in the second superior position, the Union flag in the third and the European flag in the fourth.Lord Lyon Gold, with a red rampant lion and royal tressure, it is the Scottish Royal banner, and its correct use is restricted to only a few Great Officers who officially represent The Sovereign, including; |
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Who wears what feathers? |
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 Former SAHC Patron Mr Michael Bryce (an armiger - one feather) with Donald MacLaren of MacLaren, 25th Chief of the Name and Arms of MacLaren (Clan Chief - 3 feathers- yes, they're all there) |
The wearing of eagle feathers (and in the case of Glengarry, rook feathers) is a matter of convention and derives from the wearing of clan crests by Chiefs, Chieftains, Armigers, and clanfolk (see the definitive reference at the Court of the Lord Lyon) The Sovereign as "Chief of Chiefs" is entitled to wear four eagle feathers. A Chief of a clan, officially recognised as such by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, is entitled to wear their crest as a badge with three eagle's feathers in silver behind a plain circlet inscribed with their motto. Chieftains of clans, being heads of large branches of a Clan, officially recognised as such by the Lord Lyon King of Arms, are entitled to wear either their own personal crest within a plain circlet inscribed with their motto, as for a Chief, but with two small eagle’s feathers instead of the Chief’s three. A Gentleman or Gentlewoman of the Clan, that is, an Armiger (a person who has their own coat of arms granted by Lord Lyon), is entitled to wear one eagle's feather behind a plain circlet inscribed with their motto. An alternative to wearing real eagle's feathers is to have the appropriate number of feathers incorporated into the molded pewter or silver badge. Real feathers are not worn when the feathers are incorporated into the badge. Clan folk wear their Chief's crest encircled with a strap and buckle bearing the Chief's motto. A Chieftain or an Armiger may also choose to wear the strap and buckle crest badge of their Chief instead of their own crest badge, but with no feathers behind it. |
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The Legend of the Saltire |
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Athelstaneford holds a special place in Scotland’s history. In 832 AD, near this East Lothian village, a battle was fought and the St Andrew’s Cross (or Saltire) was adopted as Scotland’s national flag. This day in late Autumn 832, has been described as the day Scotland was born - a turning point in history, on that great and glorious day, when the brave and valiant Scots defeated their enemies. The national flag of Scotland, the white Saltire on a blue background, is the oldest flag in Europe and the British Commonwealth, and it originated in a battle fought in the village of Athelstaneford in the Dark Ages between the Picts and Scots on the one side and the Angles of Northumbria on the other. An army of Picts under the leadership of Angus mac Fergus, High King of Alba, assisted by a detachment of Scots led by Eochaidh, King of Dairiada, had been on a cattle raid into Lothian (Northumbrian territory), and were being pursued by an overwhelming detachment of the Angles and Saxons under their leader Athelstan. King Angus led prayers for deliverance to God and the Saints, and was rewarded y seeing a cloud formation of the Saltire (the diagonal cross on which St Andrew had been martyred) against the blue sky. The King vowed that if, with the Saints’ help, he gained victory, then Andrew would become the patron Saint of Scotland. The Scots did win, Andrew became the patron Saint of Scotland and the Saltire became the national flag in accordance with the King’s vow. In the pursuit, so history tells, the Northumbrian leader, Athelstan, was slain at the crossing of the Peffer or Cogtail Burn, the site of which is marked at Athelstaneford Mains Farm, about half a mile south-east of the village. The Saltire is also known as the Saint Andrew’s Cross. |
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Wearing a tartan sash |
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The manner of wearing tartan sashes has had customary significance since the 18th century. The different ways to wear a sash is based upon a careful study of old portraits, prints and traditional practice. The wearing of a sash in any particular manner has no legal significance, hence the sash is worn as respect for tradition and is consistent with custom. There are many sources for the following information that you can search for on the internet. 1. Style worn by Clan Women: The sash is worn over the right shoulder across the breast and is secured by a pin or small brooch on the right shoulder. 2. Style worn by Wives of Clan Chiefs and by Wives of Colonels of Scottish Regiments: The sash, which may be fuller in size, is worn over the left shoulder and secured with a broach on the left shoulder. 3. Style worn by ladies who have married out of their clans, but who still wish to use their original clan tartan. The sash is usually longer than style 1, is worn over the right shoulder, secured there with a pin, and fastened in a large bow on the left hip. 4. Style worn by country dancers or where any lady desires to keep the front of the dress clear of the sash. Perhaps to wear a sash of some chivalric order or any orders and decorations. The style is similar to the belted plaid and is really a small arisaid. It is buttoned on at the back of the waist, or is held by a small belt, and is secured at the right shoulder by a pin or small brooch, so that the ends fall backwards from the right shoulder and swing at the back of the right. Queen Elizabeth II has granted permission for Members of the Scottish Country Dance Society to wear sashes on the left shoulder. This is an honour bestowed upon the Society because she is Patron. |
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Flowers of the Forest |
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On September 9, 1513, one of the greatest disasters befell Scotland. The Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field, or occasionally Battle of Branxton (Brainston Moor), was part of a conflict between the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland. The battle was fought in the county of Northumberland in northern England between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by the Earl of Surrey. It was a decisive English victory. In terms of troop numbers, it was the largest battle fought between the two Kingdoms. King James IV of Scotland and the "flowers" of Scottish nobility, along with 10,000 and 17,000 Scots, were killed in the battle. The pipe tune "Flowers of the Forest" was a soulful lament written shortly after the battle. The "forest" refers to a district of Scotland called Ettrick Forest where the battle took place. Although much of the original lament has been lost, Mrs. Patrick Cockburn, who lived from 1712-1792, is credited with this version. “The sorrow felt for lost loved ones reaches across the centuries as we remember members of our family who have gone before us.” The tune is played at funerals and at the Australian War Memorial's nightly ceremony. The tune can be played at the following Youtube link (playing this will add to your download use from your internet provider): |
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What are the jurisdictions of the heraldic authorities? |
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The English Kings of Arms, who are the senior heralds at the College of Arms in London, have jurisdiction over England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and all other countries where Elizabeth II is head of state, except Scotland and Canada. www.college-of-arms.gov.uk Lord Lyon King of Arms, in Edinburgh, has jurisdiction over Scotland and domiciled Scotsmen and women, and will also in certain circumstances grant arms to foreign nationals. www.courtofthelordlyon.scot The Chief Herald of Canada grants arms to Canadians. www.gg.ca/en/heraldry The Chief Herald of Ireland will grant arms to residents of the whole of the island of Ireland, and to others of Irish descent. www.nli.ie/en/heraldry-introduction.aspx The English Kings of Arms will make grants of honorary arms to American citizens who can place on record at the College of Arms a pedigree showing their descent from a British subject. Note that the claims to jurisdiction by Lord Lyon King of Arms (other than in Scotland) and the Chief Herald of Ireland in countries where Queen Elizabeth II is Queen are not recognised by the College of Arms in London. Arms of corporations have been accurately published than the arms of individuals. Geoffrey Briggs' Civic and Corporate Heraldry (1971) which covers England, Wales and Northern Ireland is now rather out of date. Scottish Civic Heraldry 2 by R.M. Urquhart, 2001, supplements Scottish Civic Heraldry (1979) A.C. Fox-Davies' The Book of Public Arms (1915) covers corporate arms of the British Empire and some foreign arms as well. It is illustrated with many black and white line drawings. Rouge Croix Pursuivant December 2001 |
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