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PINSEL (p. 489): a small triangular flag granted by the Lord Lyon only to 
chiefs or very special chieftain-barons for practical use to denote a person to 
whom the chief has delegated authority to act in his absence on a particular 
occasion. The flag is 4 feet 6 inches long by 2 feet high, with a background of 
the main livery colour of the chief's arms. On it is depicted his crest within a 
strap and buckle bearing the motto and outside the strap and buckle a circlet 
inscribed with his title. On top of the circlet is set his coronet of rank or 
baronial chapeau if any. In the fly is shown the plant badge and a scroll with 
his slogan or motto. See also descriptions of clan 
pinsels.
Source: Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia, located by Randy Young
The following descriptions of Scottish clan standards are based on the book 
"Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia."  See also descriptions 
of clan banners.
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
ANSTRUTHER
Argent, displaying the Crest [Two arms in armour holding a pole-axe with both 
hands gauntleted Proper] upon a Wreath of the Liveries Sable and Argent, 
surrounded by a strap Sable buckled and embellished Or inscribed with the Motto 
'Periissem ni periissem' [I would have perished had I not persisted] in letters 
Or all within a circlet Or fimbriated Vert bearing the name and style 'Anstruther 
of that Ilk' in letters Sable, the same ensigned of a chapeau Gules furred 
Ermine, and in the fly on an Escrol Sable surmounting a sprig of olive slipped 
and leaved Proper the Slogan 'Castle Dreel' in letters Argent. (pp.66-67)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
BARCLAY
Or, displaying the Crest [(on a chapeau Azure doubled Ermine) A hand holding a 
dagger Proper] within a strap Azure, inscribed in letters Or with the Motto 'Aut 
agere aut mori' [Either to do or die] all within a circlet Or, fimbriated Azure, 
ensigned of a chapeau Azure furred Ermine, inscribed with the title 'Barclay of 
that Ilk' in letters Azure, and in the fly an Escrol Azure bearing in letters Or 
this slogan 'Towie Barclay' surmounting a stem of mayflower Proper. (pp.72-73)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
BORTHWICK
Argent, on a Wreath of the Liveries [Argent and Sable] a moor's head couped 
Proper wreathed Argent and Sable within a strap Sable buckled and embellished Or 
inscribed with this Motto 'Qui conducit' [He who leads] in letters of the Field 
and all within a circlet Or fimbriated Gules bearing the title 'Borthwick, Lord 
Borthwick' in letters Sable, the same ensigned of a Baron's coronet, and in the 
fly on an Escrol Sable surmounting a stem of two roses Gules leaved, barbed and 
seeded Vert this Slogan 'A Borthwick' in letters of the Field. (pp.74-75)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
BRUCE
Argent, upon a Wreath Or and Gules the Crest [A lion statant Azure armed and 
langued Gules], within a strap of leather Proper buckled and embellished Or 
inscribed with the Motto 'FUIMUS' [We have been] in letters Argent, all within a 
circlet Or fimbriated Vert bearing the title 'Bruce, Earl of Elgin and 
Kincardine' in letters Gules, the circlet ensigned of an Earl's coronet Proper, 
and in the fly an Escrol Gules surmounting a sprig of Rosemary Proper, bearing 
the slogan 'Fuimus' in letters Argent. (pp.82-83)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
BUCHAN
Argent, a sun shining upon a sunflower full blown Or upon a Wreath Argent and 
Sable surrounded by a strap Sable, buckled and embellished Or, inscribed with 
the Motto 'Non inferiora secutus' [Not having followed mean pursuits] in letters 
Or, all within a circlet also Or, fimbriated Vert, bearing the name and style of 
'Buchan of Auchmacoy' in letters Sable, the same ensigned of a chapeau Gules 
furred Ermine, and in the fly on an Escrol Sable surmounting a sunflower Proper, 
this Slogan 'Auchmacoy' in letters Argent. (pp.84-85)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
BURNETT
Argent, bearing upon a Wreath of the Liveries [Argent and Vert] a cubit arm, the 
hand naked, vested Vert doubled Argent, pruning a vinetree with a pruning knife 
Proper within a strap Vert bucked and embellished Or inscribed of this Motto 'Virescit 
vulnere virtus' [Her virtue flourishes by her wounds] in letters Or, all within 
a circlet also Or, fimbriated Vert, bearing the name and style 'Burnett of Leys' 
in letters Sable, the same ensigned of a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, and in the 
fly a sprig of holly leaves Proper. (pp.86-87)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
CAMPBELL
Sable, a boar's head erased Or, armed Argent, langued Gules, upon a Wreath Or 
and Sable, surrounded by a strap Sable, buckled and  embellished Or, 
inscribed with this Motto 'Ne obliviscaris' [Do not forget] in letters Or, all 
within a circlet also Or bearing the title 'Mac-Cailein-Mor' in letters of the 
Field, the same ensigned of a Duke's Coronet, and in the fly on an Escrol Or 
surmounting a sprig of bog myrtle Proper this slogan 'Cruachan' in letters of 
the Field. (pp.90-93)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
CHISHOLM
Gules, bearing upon a Wreath of the Liveries [Or and Gules] the Crest [A dexter 
hand holding a dagger erect Proper, the point thereof transfixing a boar's head 
erased Or] within a circlet Or, inscribed with the words 'Chisholm of Chisholm' 
in letters Azure and ensigned with a chapeau Gules furred Ermine tasselled Or, 
and accompanied by an Escrol also Or, charged with the Motto 'Feros ferio' [I am 
fierce with the fierce] and interlaced with ferns Vert. (pp.104-105) 
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
COLQUHOUN
Argent, bearing upon a Wreath of the Liveries [Argent and Sable] the Crest [A 
hart's head couped Gules, attired Argent] within a strap Sable, buckled and 
embellished Argent, inscribed with the Motto 'Si je puis' [If I can] in letters 
of the Last, all within a circlet Or fimbriated Vert bearing the title 
'Colquhoun of Luss' in letters of the Second and in an Escrol Sable surmounting 
a sprig of hazel slipped Proper, fructed Or, the Slogan 'Cnoc Ealachain' in 
letters Argent. (pp.108-109)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
CRANSTOUN
Argent, bearing upon a Wreath of the Liveries Gules and Argent the said Crest [A 
crane Proper dormant holding a stone in her claw] within a strap of leather 
Proper buckled and embellished Or inscribed with this Motto 'Though shalt want 
ere I want' in letters Or, all within a circlet Or fimbriated Vert bearing the 
title 'Cranstoun of that Ilk' in letters Gules and in the fly an Escrol Sable 
surmounting a bunch of strawberries Proper bearing this Slogan 'Corehouse' in 
letters Or. (pp.112-113)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
DRUMMOND
Gules, bearing upon a Crest coronet of four (three visible) strawberry leaves Or 
the above Crest [A goshawk, wings displayed Proper, armed and belled Or, jessed 
Gules] within a strap of cuir brunatre buckled and embellished Or, inscribed 
with this Motto 'Virtutem coronat honos' [Honour crowns virtue] in letters of 
the Field, all within a circlet also Or, bearing this title 'An Drumenach Mor' 
in letters also of the Field, the same ensigned with an Earl's coronet, and in 
an Escrol Or surmounting a leaf of holly Proper this slogan 'Gang warily' in 
letters of the Field. (pp.120-121)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
ERSKINE
Sable, upon a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, a dexter hand holding a skene in pale 
Argent, hilted and pommelled Or, within a belt Gules, buckled and furnished Or 
with this Motto 'Je pense plus' [I think more] in letters Argent within a 
circlet Or ensigned of an Earl's coronet, bearing the title 'Earl of Mar and 
Kellie' in letters Sable and in the fly, a spray of roses Gules, barbed and 
leaved Vert, seeded Sable, surmounted of an Escrol Argent bearing this Motto 'Unione 
fortior' [Stronger through unity] in letters Sable. (pp.132-133)
Randy Young, 4 February 2005
FORSYTH
Argent bearing upon a Wreath of the Liveries [Argent and Gules] the Crest [a 
griffin segreant Azure, armed and membered Sable, crowned Or] as in the Arms 
within a strap Sable, buckled and embellished Or having the Motto 'Instaurator 
ruinae' [A repairer of ruin] in letters of the Field all within a circlet Or 
fimbriated Vert bearing the name and style 'Forsyth of that Ilk' in letters 
Sable, the same ensigned of a chapeau Gules furred Ermine, and in the fly an 
Escrol Sable, surmounting a forsythia flower Proper, bearing the slogan 'Ethie' 
in letters Or. (pp.140-141)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
FRASER
Argent, on a Wreath of the Liveries [Argent and Azure] the dexter Crest [on a 
mount a flourish of strawberries leaved and fructed Proper] within a strap 
Azure, buckled and embellished Or inscribed in letters Argent 'All my hope is in 
God', all within a circlet Or fimbriated Gules and blazoned with the style 
'Fraser, Lady Saltoun' in letters Azure, the circlet ensigned of a Lord of 
Parliament's coronet Proper, and in the fly a strawberry flower slipped and 
leaved Proper. (pp.142-143)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
GRIERSON
Gules, displaying the Crest [a fetterlock Argent] within a strap and buckle 
Proper with the Motto 'Hoc securior' [More secure by this] in letters Or and 
within a circlet Or ensigned of a chapeau Azure furred Ermine the title 'Grierson 
of Lag' in letters Gules, and in the fly an Escrol Or with the Slogan 'Lag' in 
letters Azure along with a stem of bluebells Proper. (pp.152-153) 
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
HANNAY
Azure, on a plate the Crest [a cross crosslet fitchée issuing out of a crescent 
Sable] on a Wreath of the Liveries [Argent and Azure] within a strap of leather 
Proper buckled and embellished Or inscribed with the Motto 'Per ardua ad alta' 
[Through difficulties to higher things] in letters of the Field all within a 
circlet Or bearing the title 'Hannay of that Ilk' in letters also of the Field, 
the same ensigned of a chapeau Azure furred Ermine, and in the fly an Escrol 
Argent surmounting a spray of periwinkle Proper, bearing the Slogan 'Sorbie' in 
letters Gules. (pp.162-163)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
HAY
Argent, issuing from a coronet a falcon volant Proper within a strap Gules 
buckled and embellished Or inscribed with the Motto 'Serva jugum' [Keep the 
yoke] in letters of the Field all within a circlet Or fimbriated Vert bearing 
the title 'Hay Earl of Erroll' in letters Gules, the same ensigned of an Earl's 
coronet and in the fly on an Escrol Gules surmounting a sprig of mistletoe 
Proper the Slogan 'The Hay' in letters Or. (pp.164-165)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
HENDERSON
Or, the Crest [a cubit arm Proper the hand holding an estoile Or surmounted by a 
crescent Azure] within a strap Gules buckled and furnished Or with the Motto 'Sola 
virtus nobilitat' [Virtue alone ennobles] in letters Or within a circlet Azure 
bearing the name 'Henderson of Fordell' in letters Or and in the fly a stem of 
cotton grass Proper surmounted of an Escrol Sable bearing the Slogan 'Fordell' 
in lettes Or. (pp.166-167)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
HUNTER
Or, bearing upon a Wreath of the Liveries [Or and Vert] the Crest [a greyhound 
sejant Proper, gorged with an antique crown Or] within a strap of leather Proper 
buckled and embellished Or inscribed with this Motto 'Cursum perficio' [I 
accomplish the hunt] in letters of the Field all within a circlet Gules bearing 
the name and title 'Hunter of Hunterston' also in letters of the Field and in 
the fly a stem of thrift Proper surmounted of an Escrol Gules bearing the word 'Hunterston' 
in letters of  the Field. (pp.172-173)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
JOHNSTONE
Argent, the Crest [a winged spur Or] upon a Wreath Argent and Sable within a 
strap Gules buckled and furnished Or inscribed 'Nunquam non paratus' [Never 
unprepared] in letters Argent, all within a circlet Sable bearing the title 'Johnstone 
Earl of Annandale and Hartfell' in letters Or ensigned of an Earl's Coronet, and 
in the fly a sprig of red hawthorn Proper surmounted of an Escrol Sable bearing 
the Slogan 'Lochwood' in letters Argent. (pp.178-179)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
KEITH
Gules, issuant from a Crest Coronet Or a roebuck's head Proper attired Or within 
a strap of leather Proper, buckle and furnishing Or, inscribed of this Motto 'Veritas 
vincit' [Truth conquers] in letters of the Field all within a circlet Or bearing 
the title 'Keith Earl of Kintore' in letters also of the Field, the same 
ensigned of an Earl's Coronet and in the fly an Escrol Argent surmounting a 
single rose Argent bearing this Slogan 'A Keith' in letters Sable. (pp.180-181)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
KINCAID
Argent, upon a Wreath of the Liveries [Gules and Argent] the Crest [a triple 
towered castle Argent, masoned Sable, and issuing from the centre tower a dexter 
arm from the shoulder embowed, vested in the proper tartan of Kincaid and 
grasping a drawn sword all Proper] within a strap Gules, buckled and embellished 
Or, inscribed with the Motto 'This I'll defend' in letters Or, all within a 
circlet also Or fimbriated Vert bearing the name 'Kincaid of Kincaid' in letters 
Sable, the same ensigned of a chapeau Azure furred Ermine, and in the fly on an 
Escrol Azure surmounting a sprig of purple heather Proper the Slogan 'A Kincaid' 
in letters Argent. (pp.186-187)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
LAMONT
Azure, bearing upon a Wreath of the Liveries [Argent and Azure] the Crest [a 
dexter hand couped at the wrist Proper] within a strap of leather Proper, 
buckled and embellished Or, inscribed with the Motto 'Ne parcas nec spernas' 
[Neither spare nor dispose] in letters Azure, all within a circlet also Or 
bearing the title 'Lamont of that Ilk' in letters also Azure and ensigned of a 
chapeau Azure furred Ermine, and in an Escrol Argent, surmounting a sprig of 
crab-apple fructed Proper this Slogan  'Ardlamont' in letters Gules. 
(pp.188-189)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
LENNOX
Argent, upon a Wreath of the Liveries [Argents and Gules] the Crest [two 
broadswords in saltire behind a swan's head and neck all Proper] within a strap 
Gules buckled and embellished Or, inscribed with the Motto 'I'll defend' in 
letters Or, all within a circlet also Or fimbriated Vert bearing the name 
'Lennox of that Ilk' in letters Sable, the same ensigned of a chapeau Azure 
furred Ermine, and in the fly an Escrol Azure surmounting a rose slipped Gules, 
bearing this Slogan 'The Lennox' in letters Argent. (pp.192-193)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
LESLIE
Argent, upon a Wreath of the Liveries [Argent and Azure] the Crest [a demi 
griffin Proper, beaked, armed and winged Or] within a strap of leather Proper, 
buckled and embellished Or, inscribed with this Motto 'Grip fast' in letters of 
the Field, all within a circlet Or bearing the title 'Leslie, Earl of Rothes' in 
letters also of the Field, the same ensigned of an Earl's coronet and in the fly 
an Escrol Argent, surmounting a sprig of rue Proper, bearing the Slogan 'Ballinbreich'. 
(pp.194-195)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005
LUMSDEN
Or, the Crest of Lumsden of that Ilk [issuant from a crest coronet Or a naked 
arm grasping a sword Proper] within a strap Azure buckled and furnished Or with 
the Motto 'Amor patitur moras' [Love endures delays] in letters Or within a 
circlet Azure bearing the name and title 'Lumsden of that Ilk' in letters Or and 
in the fly a sprig of hazel fructed Proper surmounted of an Escrol Azure bearing 
the Slogan 'A Lumsden' in letters Or. (pp.200-201)
Randy Young, 28 April 2005