By Billy Scobie
When I left West Dunbartonshire Council after 35 years service (Dunbartonshire County Council – Strathclyde Regional Council – West Dunbartonshire Council), I was presented with a beautiful wee badge which depicted the W.D.C. coat of arms.
Behind this civic heraldry there are some interesting facts –
We begin at the time of Robert the Bruce. The Earl of Lennox, a supporter of the Hero King, had an heraldic emblem which comprised a white background, a red diagonal cross with four red roses in the corners. The motto was “Levenax” which was Latin for the Gaelic “Levenach”, meaning the people of the Leven. So, it is from the Earls of Lennox that the white background and diagonal red cross (saltire) were taken.
The black cog-wheel represents the various industries of the communities of West Dunbartonshire.
The Elephant and Castle was for centuries the arms of the Royal Burgh of Dumbarton, and this was first recorded in 1357 on a seal appended to a letter which was concerned with the release from English captivity of David, son of Robert the Bruce. It is believed that this symbol was chosen because Dumbarton Rock viewed from certain angles looks very similar to an elephant (as indeed it does).
The ship represents the proud shipbuilding heritage of Dumbarton and Clydebank.
The mitred bishop represents Saint Patrick who has long been believed to have been born at Old Kilpatrick at the western terminus of the Roman Antonine Wall.
The dove in the centre of the arms represents the Council’s opposition to nuclear weapons.
The motto – “Strength through Community” speaks for itself.
The crown which surmounts the shield is of the kind which is considered appropriate to a burgh in terms of civic heraldry which comes under the jurisdiction of the Court of the Lord Lyon.
(For much of the foregoing I am indebted to our local library service).
W. Scobie