Kirriemuir

Early coats of arms were probably just a way to identify fighters during a battle. When soldiers wore heavy helmets, covering their faces, it became necessary for them to paint simple designs on their shields so that they could be recognised.

The official description of the Kirriemuir Coat of Arms uses this picturesque language of heraldry.

The arms are; argent, a man’s heart Gules, ensigned with an imperial crown proper; on a chief Vert, three mullets of the field. Above the Shield is placed a Burghal coronet and in an Escrol under the shield this motto ‘Jamais Arriere’.

In everyday language this means that there is a shield with a silver background on which is a red heart, crowned with an imperial styled crown. The top section of the shield has a green background with three white stars. On top of the shield is what looks like the parapet of a castle - this is the burghal crown and beneath the shield is the motto, translating as ‘Never Behind’.

Where does this image come from? The heart refers to the expedition by Lord James of Douglas to the Holy Land with the heart of King Robert the Bruce. The Kirriemuir coat of arms is based on that of the Douglas family who allowed the burgh to adopt it.

Kirriemuir’s coat of arms was adopted in 1892 but wasn’t matriculated and recognised by Lord Lyon until 1930.

Note: I have yet to find a copy of the coat of arms.  If anyone can contribute by finding one for me, I would be most grateful.

See also the Angus coat of arms

Below is the Angus flag, which proved unpopular when it was flown from the Kirriemuir library flagpole - it was stolen!

Angus flag

This page was last updated on 12 October 2021

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