Burntisland
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BURNTISLAND
Burgh
Incorporated into: 1975 Kirkcaldy District Council (1996 Fife Area Council)
Official blazon
Gules, on the sea in base undy Argent and Azure, a three masted galiot Or, on deck two mariners, her sails furled and pennants flying Proper.
Above the Shield is placed a mural coronet and in Escrols over and below the Shield these Mottoes "Portus Gratiae" and "Colles Praesidio Dedit Deus".
Origin/meaning
The arms were granted on April 6, 1938.
Burntisland town and harbour belonged from ancient times to Dunfermline Abbey. It was created a Royal Burgh by King James V in 1541.
The arms repeat the device on the Burgh seal, a device said to have been used by Burntisland for centuries. The ship refers to the town's long history as a seaport and its connection in more modern times with shipbuilding.
The red and gold colours of Fife are used; they are also the colours of Wemyss, a family which once owned all the lands in the neighbourhood.
Two mottoes were allowed: "Portus Gratiae" (or "Portus Salutis") was the name given to the place by the Romans because of its safe harbour; the other motto means "God gave the hills for protection". The hills referred to in the motto are Dunearn and The Binn, which guard the town to the North.
Seal of the burgh as used in the 1890s |
The arms as used on a JaJa postcard +/- 1905 |
Community Council
Official blazon
Gules, on the sea in base undy Argent and Azure, a three masted galiot Or, on deck two mariners, her sails furled and pennants flying Proper.
Above the Shield is placed a Coronet appropriate to a statutory Community Council, videlicet:- a circlet richly chased from which are issuant four thistle leaves (one and two halves visible) and four pine cones (two visible) Or, and in an Escrol over the same this Motto "Portus Gratiae" and in an Escrol below the Shield this Motto "Colles Praesidio Dedit Deus".
Origin/meaning
The arms were granted on April 2, 1997.
These are the Burgh arms with a crown of a community council.
The arms on a banner in the town (source) |
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© since 1995, Heraldry of the World, Ralf Hartemink
Index of the siteLiterature: Porteous, 1906; Urquhart, 1974, 2001