Heraldry of Aberdeen

The Heraldry of Aberdeen, Scotland is important as it represents the long history of the city and its people.

The image of three castles is often present, particularly in the flag and coat of arms of the city. The symbol has been around since the time of Robert the Bruce and represents the three buildings that used to stand on the three hills of Aberdeen; Aberdeen Castle on Castle Hill, a castle on Windmill Hill and St. Katherine's Chapel (dedicated to Saint Catherine of Siena and founded in 1242 by John Kennedy of Kermuck, a Constable of Aberdeen Castle, [citeweb|url=http://www.aberdeentoday.co.uk/landmark5.htm|title=St Katherine's Hill|author=Aberdeen Today|accessdate=2007-05-20] but gone by the time Parson Gordon of Rothiemay drew up his Map of Aberdeen in 1661 [citeweb|url=http://beehive.thisisnorthscotland.co.uk/default.asp?WCI=SiteHome&ID=2311&PageID=24001|title=Aberdeen Civic Society: Round and About 1|accessdate=2007-05-20] ) on St. Katherine's Hill (now levelled). [citeweb|url=http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/scotgaz/councils/councilfirst1.html|title=Aberdeen City|accessdate=2007-05-15|author=Gazetter for Scotland]

Conversely the image of a single castle, rather than the triple, is often used in the city. Notably they can be seen in the city educational institutions of Aberdeen Grammar School, Robert Gordons College and the University of Aberdeen.

The coat of arms have been displayed on the city's seal since 1430 [cite web
url = http://www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/acci/web/site/CouncilNews/pr/pr_tolbooth_castle_160806.asp
title = New Tolbooth exhibition puts unique spotlight on Aberdeen’s castle
accessdate = 2007-01-30
date = 2006
language = English] . In 1672 the Parliament of Scotland passed an act requiring all persons or bodies using coats of arms to matriculate them in a register maintained by Lord Lyon King of Arms. Accordingly, the arms of the "Royall Burgh of Aberdein" were recorded in Lyon Register on February 25, 1674. [A C Fox-Talbot, "The Book of Public Arms", 2nd edition, London, 1915] R M Urquhart, "Scottish Burgh and County Heraldry", London, 1973] The blazon of the arms was:

"Gules, three towers triple-towered within a double-tressure flowered and counterflowered argent. Supported by two leopards proper; and in a escrol above "Bon Accord"

The "double tressure" surrounding the three castles is derived from the royal arms of Scotland, and was traditionally said to have been granted to the city by Robert I, but may only date from the reign of James I

The supporters are two leopards. According to legend the beasts were granted by James I to Aberdeen as the burgh underwrote his expenses while in exile in England. The city's local magazine is called the "Leopard" and when Union Bridge was constructed in the 19th century small statues of leopards in a sitting position were cast and placed along its railing tops.

Bon Accord, is the motto of the city and is French literally for "Good Agreement". Legend tells that its use dates from the 14th century password used by Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence, when he and his men laid siege to Aberdeen Castle before destroying it in 1308 and massacring the English Garrison, retaking Aberdeen for the townspeople. The secret phrase to initiate the campaign was "Bon Accord". [cite book|author=Keith, Alexander|date=1987|title=A Thousand Years of Aberdeen|location=Aberdeen|publisher=Aberdeen University Press]

Due to local government reorganisation, the arms have been rematriculated twice: in 1976 by the City of Aberdeen District Council, and in 1996 by the present Aberdeen City Council. [R M Urquhart, "Scottish Civic Heraldry", London, 1979] [R M Urquhart, "Scottish Civic Heraldry 2", Hamilton, 2001]

The city's toast is "Happy to meet, sorry to part, happy to meet again", this has been commonly misinterpreted as the translation of Bon Accord. [cite web|url=http://www.british-publishing.com/Pages/AberdeenOG/introducing.html|title=Aberdeen Official Guide|publisher=Aberdeen City Council|accessdate=2007-02-17] The motto should also not be confused with that of Aberdeen Grammar School, which is "Bon Record".

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