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Scottish Clan Pinsels

About Clan Insignia

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

Description of Clan Pinsels

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