🦄🦁🐲 In the latest example of heraldry rubbing off on my daughter, without any encouragement from me, she's assembled a main fighting team of heraldic creatures - Unicorn, Lion & Dragon - in her new videogame!

🎌 Last Friday the Lord Lyon hosted the Consulate General of Japan in Edinburgh at The Court of the Lord Lyon and I was delighted to play a small role as the Court's Honorary Vexillologist by providing a flag to be displayed for the occasion.

This display of coats of arms and flags could well have been one of the most colourful sights amongst the already incredibly colourful Edinburgh Tartan Parade! A very stirring image from a celebratory occasion.

🦄 When asked to make a Scottish information poster at school earlier this year my Unicorn mad daughter made one all about Scotland's national animal, which I thought I'd share for National Unicorn Day.

My very talented mother-in-law has made a custom bag for carrying my uniform baton to and from duty. Fittingly made from Border Tartan, my wife then also added the March Pursuivant badge as a finishing touch. A wonderfully symbolic accessory that will be handed down to future holders of the office.

🛡️ A day may come of shattered shields... "But it is not this day!" No, this is #TolkienReadingDay !

🇳🇿 Not an especially heraldic flower, but with their vexillological inspired name 'Blue Ensign', these Pulmonaria have certainly flagged the arrival of spring for this March!

🚭 For No Smoking Day I thought I'd share this heraldic version of the anti-smoking symbol that I once whipped up as a tongue in cheek experiment; shown here pressed into service at a Heraldry Society of Scotland event. Thanks to @bob.omg.lol for the photograph.

As it is the Birthday of the Emperor of Japan, I thought today would be a good opportunity to showcase the royal Scottish arms as emblazoned in a Japanese monshō influenced style Warmest wishes to the Emperor and the Japanese nation on this day 🎌

My emblazonment of the county of Aarhus' original banner of arms, posted today in honour of the 20th anniversary of arriving there to start my Erasmus placement at @aarhusuniint.bsky.social

Kinross-shire has launched a consultation about potentially running a flag design competition. The survey is looking for people - all people but especially those from the county and surrounding areas - to input through the link below

Whilst giving is always better than receiving, as per my last post, it is nonetheless very nice to get a heraldic gift. This Christmas I was touched to get these hand painted emblazonments from @bob.omg.lol

It's always better to give than receive; heraldic gifts too. This year I used my daughter's love of Arthuriana as the excuse! A Guinevere-esque portrait by Luke Anderson and her first heraldry book - a King Arthur Armorial - which I'll have to see if I can borrow from her myself!

Given our work with symbols it was a privilege to be invited to yesterday's event on the anniversary of the Lockerbie Bombing and witness the laying of emblems by those organisations that responded to the disaster.

A festive and moving vexillological display in this Christmas wreath - which I was delighted to see when visiting the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum recently - featuring the national flags of those nations who lost people in the bombing of PAA103

Yesterday's St Andrews Day saw the sun really shine for what was also the 60th anniversary of the monument to the Saltire in its legendary birthplace of Athelstaneford. Hopefully a good omen for the Scottish Flag Trust's appeal to support a replacement.

I thought #doctorwhoday would be a good occasion to display my monshō inspired heraldic artists mark, owing to its slight resemblance to the 'Seal of Rassilon' symbol used by the founder of Time Lord society. (Whilst coincidental I did spot the similarity early on and was happy to run with it) 1/7

My voluntary community flag work and heraldic projects have kept me very busy this last year - and will, of course, be something I continue - but I am pleased to be back in employment, having started with Babcock today, supporting the industry & defence of the nation

For #InternationalArtistsDay I wanted to share a recent commission, and it felt particularly apt to display this one which is the first to include my own artist mark, which the patron of this piece had encouraged me to develop.

Seen here in Australian skies is a special type of flag used by Scottish Clan Chiefs, known as a pinsel, which may be flown in a Chief's absence by a delegated representative.

Berwickshire hosted a commemoration for the Burning of the Merse during the Rough Wooing this weekend in the village of Whitsome. A symbolic pyre was lit that evening. A fitting and evocative end to a thought proving day of remembrance and reconciliation.

With the Lyon Court's happy announcement today of the appointment of a new Kintyre Pursuivant - the first for a quarter of a century - this is how the line up of Scottish Officers of Arms now looks; personal shields displayed below each office badge.

Happy International Vexillology Day 🎌 In the same spirit & theme as my post on International Heraldry Day, I thought it would be particularly appropriate to share my current thinking on how the Scottish Saltire would look had it been realised as a Japanese monshō 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇯🇵

It is not yet dark but the sky is already full of stars for the start of golf's Ryder Cup! 🇪🇺 vs 🇺🇲 Best of luck to #TeamEurope

🏴‍☠️ For national 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' I thought I'd post this photo from the unveiling of the Girvan Flag where it appears a pirate flying the Jolly Roger was (probably) about to make it's escape from the law behind me!

This time last week I was in the stunning surroundings of Carlisle Cathedral, in my capacity with The Flag Institute, to witness the unveiling of the regional community flag for Cumbria; presented to the Lord Lieutenant in a sweet ceremony by the Wetheral Brownies.

A very moving display of heraldry and other emblems in Tundergarth Kirk, for #opendoorsday yesterday, of many of the organisations that assisted in the aftermath of the PAA103 bombing.

Even off duty I cannot help but be drawn to a great flag display, especially one right on my doorstep with yesterday's Border Gathering in Annan

Yesterday my family and I had a fantastic visit to Shambellie House for the Japan-Scotland Community Cultural Festival 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇯🇵 Amongst a huge array of experiences we got to try wearing a Yukata gown. Although not formally heraldic, like monshō, I was taken with the traditional symbolism it incorporated

Following the successful recognition of the winner of their flag competition with the The Court of the Lord Lyon, Girvan has been added to this Scottish flag map

Girvan has become the latest place to raise an official community flag. It has been a joy to work with so many there for the last few months, especially seeing what it meant to the town - including the delighted winning schoolgirl - at the unveiling this weekend

Heartwarming to get a photo from good friends showing the wedding present I drew up for them up on their wall. This uses linked clan crest badges to commemorate the union of their families, placed on a background inspired by their wedding recessional.

On a very warm day last weekend I was thankful for the hospitality of the Ramsay family at Bamff House in Perthshire who were hosting the Convention of the Baronage of Scotland to whom I was invited to speak on the topic of flags for The Court of the Lord Lyon.

My arms have been emblazoned with many types of chain, but never before with a daisy chain which is inspired! This idea was commissioned with Luke Anderson by Heidi Armitage-Tibbits who had the idea to put a floral spin on my spiral in this homage.

This weekend's Highland Games in Luss saw the first raising of the Learned Kindred of Currie banner of arms. It is always a delight to be able to provide artwork for a clan, but seeing one fly at a Highland Games was a real treat.

Looking as though we have 'a feather in our cap', following a very productive conversation with the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs 🪶🪶🪶

⚜️ Maybe the most iconic symbol of heraldry and flags finally bloomed in my garden (after 5 years of waiting!)

"Long like the Marches!" A Riding of the Marches being officially attended by March Pursuivant, maybe for the first time. Honoured to have been invited to Linlithgow, and delighted to get to deliver a very well received proclamation.

For International Heraldry Day I thought it would be particularly appropriate to share my international fusion of the ancient arms of Scotland in a Japanese monshō inspired emblazonment 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🛡️🇯🇵

Not a flag or shield, but very proud to see a local symbol whilst at a wedding in Italy. The wedding breakfast tables were named for iconic walks across Europe and it was wonderful to see the Southern Upland Way amongst them. Indeed, I was a little envious not to be seated there!

Back from a wonderful time in Tuscany, celebrating big events with old friends. Taking the opportunity to represent in the kilt of course.

Anyone with connections to the Ayrshire town of Girvan can now vote for the winner in the community's flag competition 🗳️🎌 forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/Respon...

Another marvelous and unexpected meeting at Edinburgh's Tartan Parade was bumping into Matthew Taylor, whose arms I had designed and who was carrying them as a banner with Heraldry Society of Scotland

The Officers of Arms were back on duty for the Opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland It was nice to have so many interested members of the public come up and speak to us before & after in Parliament Square

Not only was I on duty with my fellow officers of arms for Edinburgh's first Tartan Parade, but I had some special backup from my family! Very many thanks to the Heraldry Society of Scotland for inviting my wife & daughter! It was wonderful to be parading with them & hundreds of others!

I love growing plants in my garden that appear on flags and heraldry. Not only do Gentians appear in European and Japanese heraldry but these specific ones are called 'Blue Herald'. I couldn't resist the name nor the lovely colour!

To celebrate #PolishFlagDay I thought I'd try an experimental emblazonment, based on the famed Winged Hussar's. These are the arms of RossMcEwen's Polish wife - herself previously employed by the Radziwiłł princely family - placed on a background of Polish Tartan

A splendid occasion last night on duty with the Army, for the traditional ceremony to install a new Governor of Edinburgh Castle. We are there to be challenged by the sentries and serve the garrison with the Governor's commission.

Thrilled to announce that I have been offered my first book contract, courtesy of Palfrey Press. Although I cannot say quite what for just yet, I can say that it will be highly interesting, compelling and accessible for both lovers of heraldry and the wider public alike.

Holding the heraldic office of March and being a big rugby fan I couldn't resist sewing my badge of office onto the red & white hoops of South of Scotland Rugby Good luck to South in tonight's game and here's hoping the Inter-District tournament will return for them to defend last year's title!