Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland - Current Uses

Current Uses

Despite the Kingdom of Scotland having been superseded in 1707 by the creation of the Kingdom of Great Britain, elements from both the coat and banner of arms pertaining to the former became incorporated into those of the latter, with a single exception; namely the Royal Standard of Scotland, also known as the Lion Rampant, which is the banner of the ancient arms. This banner, in its original unquartered state, continues to be used officially in Scotland; being flown from royal residences when the Queen is not in residence and used in an official capacity by the First Minister, Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Lord Lyon King of Arms and Lord Lieutenants in their Lieutenancies. Unofficially, the Lion Rampant is commonly used as a second national flag of Scotland, being most often seen at sporting events involving Scottish national teams. (Both the Scottish Football Association and Scotland national football team use a logo based upon the Royal Arms).

Since 1603 the Royal coat of arms as they have appeared in Scotland have undergone numerous changes, however since 1837 the Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom used in Scotland have remained unchanged; showing the lion of Scotland in the first and fourth quarters of the shield, with those of England in the second and the harp of Ireland in the third. The Scots motto In Defens appears as in the original arms, and the Latin motto of the Order of the Thistle, Nemo me impune lacessit, also appears on a blue scroll overlying the compartment. (The Scots expression Wha Daur Meddle Wi' Me? is regarded as the root of the Latin motto, itself referring to the floral emblem of Scotland, the Thistle, which has sharp spikes at the tips of its leaves resulting in a painful sensation should they be handled without due respect).

Since the Union of the Crowns, these Scottish quarterings have been used for official purposes in Scotland, for example, on official buildings and official publications. The Scotland Office uses a version of the Royal Coat of Arms as used in Scotland and the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, RCAHMS and the General Register Office for Scotland use a version of the crest.

The banner of the modern arms, the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in Scotland, is flown when the Queen is in residence at Balmoral Castle or the Palace of Holyroodhouse, on the queen's car on official journeys and on aircraft (when on the ground). It may also be flown on any building, official or private, during a visit by the Queen, if the owner or proprietor so requests. When the Queen attends the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom used in Scotland flies outside the Scottish Parliament Building.

The banner of the Duke of Rothesay features on the 1st and 4th quarters the arms of the Great Steward of Scotland, with the 2nd and 3rd quarters featuring the arms of the Lord of the Isles. In the centre, on an inescutcheon, are the arms of the heir apparent to the King of Scots, namely the Royal arms of Scotland with a three point label. The standard of the Duke of Rothesay is the Royal Standard of Scotland defaced with a three point label.

The Royal Coat of Arms of Canada correspond to those of the United Kingdom in that they also feature the Scottish arms in the second quarter of the shield and use the unicorn as the sinister supporter. The Canadian version also mirrors the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland in that each supporter not only supports the shield but also a lance displaying a flag.

Both the flag and coat of arms of Nova Scotia feature elements of the Scottish arms. However, unlike the Royal Coat of Arms of Canada, those of Nova Scotia portray the unicorn as the Royally crowned dexter supporter, in the Scottish style. The shield depicts an inverse representation of the flag of Scotland and features the Royal arms of Scotland on an inescutcheon. The motto munit haec et altera vincit appears above the crest in keeping with the Scottish heraldic style. (Both the flag and shield of the Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia also feature the Scottish arms on an inescucheon).

The gold shield with double red tressure, with maple leaves (érablé-counter-érablé), is also used in the coat of arms of the Monarchist League of Canada, whose arms were granted by HM The Queen in 2002.

The Scottish arms also feature in the arms of the Lord Lyon King of Arms, the arms of the Royal Scottish Academy and those of the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

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