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Court Activity 2005

During 2005 71 new grants of Arms were made, of which 61 were to individuals, 9 to corporate bodies and 1 to a local authority.  In addition there were 22 matriculations from existing grants.

Work continued on completing the creation of a computer-searchable copy of the Register of Arms.  The project will be  completed in 2006.  Discussion continued on the arrangements for information from the Register to be made available through the Scottish Family History Service which is due to come into operation in 2007.

Various overseas engagements were undertaken during the year.  In February the Lord Lyon gave lectures to the St. Andrew¿s Society of Philadelphia, the St. Andrew¿s Society of Washington DC and at a meeting at the British Consulate in New York organised by the American Scottish Foundation..  In June he was a Guest of Honour at the Scottish Festival  at Glasgow, Kentucky. 

In November and December Carrick Pursuivant undertook a three week lecture tour in Australia and attend Scottish Heritage Week in Sydney.

Planning continued on the programme of refurbishment of the Thistle Chapel at St. Giles Cathedral.  It is anticipated that most of the work will be undertaken during 2006.

A number of ceremonial engagements took place.

• On 20 May the Ceremony of the Keys took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse when the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Baron Mackay of Clashfern KT, received the Keys of the City of Edinburgh from the Rt. Hon. the Lord Provost.  The ceremony was attended by the Lord Lyon, Ross Herald and Unicorn Pursuivant.
  
  
• On 21 May the Opening of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland took place at the Assembly Hall.  In attendance on the Lord High Commissioner were the Lord Lyon, Rothesay and Ross Heralds, Unicorn, Carrick and Bute Pursuivants, the Lord High Constable of Scotland (the Earl of Erroll), the Hereditary Master of the Household in Scotland (the Duke of Argyll), the Earl of Dundee, Hereditary Bearer of the Royal Banner of Scotland, and the Master of Lauderdale, representing the Earl of Lauderdale, Hereditary Bearer of the National Flag of Scotland.
  
  
• The Church Service of the General Assembly was held on 22 May at St. Giles Cathedral.  It was attended by the Lord High Commissioner.  Also in attendance were the Lord Lyon, Albany and Ross Heralds and  Carrick and Bute Pursuivants.  The Lord High Constable of Scotland was also present.
  
  
• The Annual Service of Commemoration at the Scottish National War Memorial, Edinburgh Castle took place on 1 June and was attended by Rothesay and Ross Heralds and Carrick Pursuivant.
  
  
• The Annual Festival of the Priory of Scotland of the Order of St. John took place on 24 June at St. Machar¿s Cathedral, Aberdeen and was attended by the Lord Lyon accompanied by Ross Herald and Carrick Pursuivant.
  
  
• On 23 October a Service was held in the Abbey Church of Dunfermline when the Lord Lyon, accompanied by Carrick Pursuivant, presented a Coat of Arms to the Abbey Church.
  
  
• The Annual Service of the Order of the Thistle took place on 4 December in the Thistle Chapel.  It was attended by the Chancellor and Members of the Order and by the Dean, the Secretary, Green Rod,  Ross Herald and Unicorn and Bute Pursuivants.