Galashiels

From Heraldry of the World
Jump to navigation Jump to search
Logo-new.jpg
Heraldry of the World
United Kingdom.jpg
British heraldry portal
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom
Unitedkingdom-flag.gif

  • Overseas possessions
  • Total pages in the British section : 15,942
  • Total images in the British section : 9,640

GALASHIELS (Burgh)

Incorporated into: 1975 Ettrick and Lauderdale (1996 Scottish Borders)

Arms (crest) of Galashiels

Official blazon

Argent, issuing from a mount in base a plum tree fructed between two foxes sejant, that on the dexter contournee, both looking upwards all Proper.

Above the Shield is placed a Burghal coronet and in an Escrol below the Shield this Motto and Date "Sour 1337 Plums".

Origin/meaning

The arms were officially granted on May 15, 1930.

Galashiels was created a Burgh of Barony in favour of James Hoppringill (or Pringle), of Galashiels, in 1599.

The arms come from the Burgh seal, though their origin is uncertain.

One theory claims that they commemorate a successful skirmish in 1337 against a band of Englishmen at a place called Englishman's Sykejust outside the town. The English were gathering the wild plums of the district when they were surprised and overcome by a group of local men who, after their victory, called themselves "the sour plums in Galashiels". A song with the same title, whose words have long been forgotten, was written about their exploits; its tune was a favourite of Sir Waiter Scott's uncle, Thomas Scott, a noted piper in his day.

The motto also relates to the incident.

seal of Galashiels

Seal of the burgh as used in the 1890s
Arms (crest) of Galashiels

The arms as used on a JaJa postcard +/- 1905
Galashiels2.jpg

The arms in the town (source)

The arms are now used by the Galashiels and Langlee Community Council.

Literature: Urquhart, 1974

Logo-new.jpg
Heraldry of the World
United Kingdom.jpg
British heraldry portal
Civic heraldry of the United Kingdom
Unitedkingdom-flag.gif

  • Overseas possessions
  • Total pages in the British section : 15,942
  • Total images in the British section : 9,640

Contact and Support

Partners:

Your logo here ?
Contact us



© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink Ralf Hartemink arms.jpg
Index of the site