Call for return of arms
(From The Orcadian dated May 3, 2001)

Historic plaques placed around Kirkwall bearing the town's coat of arms are technically breaking the law, it was claimed this week.

The plaques were erected by Kirkwall Community Council at sites of historical interest, but because they also display the coat of arms - a sailing ship with the motto "Si Deus nobiscum" they are apparently falling foul of the Crown.

The claim comes on the back of revelations that the Orkney Flag cannot be sanctioned for official use in the county either because it has Irish links.

Councillors were told earlier this year that the flag's use could risk the wrath of the Lord Lyon King of Arms who has powers to confiscate any property over which it is flown.

Spencer Rosie who chairs the community council and the Orkney Movement - which wants greater powers for the county - has thrown caution to the wind and says he will carry on flying the flag regardless.

He has questioned the reasons for rejecting the flag - a red Scandinavian-style cross on a yellow background - describing them as nonsense.

And he has now asked the council why they rejected the flag following advice from the Lord Lyon's office and yet allowed the Kirkwall Coat of Arms to be displayed on the new plaques that have gone up over the past year.

"The report that went to finance and general purposes about the Orkney Flag highlighted that the Kirkwall Coat of Arms, after regionalisation in 1975 reverted to the Crown after Kirkwall Town Council became defunct," he said.

Mr Rosie said this meant it was acceptable for existing signs displaying the coat of arms to be maintained, but illegal to erect new ones Ð such as the plaques.

"Technically the law has been broken according to the report to finance and general purposes," he said.

Mr Rosie said the solution would be for the coat of arms - which dates from the 17th century - to be returned to the town and he would therefore be recommending that the community council asked for it back, as long as it didn't cost too much.