Lyon Court, that is The Court of the Lord Lyon is the institution which regulates heraldry in Scotland. Like the College of Arms in England it maintains the register of grants of arms, and also genealogies.

Lyon Court is a public body, and the fees for grants of arms are paid to the Treasury. The Lord Lyon must also be legally qualified, as he has criminal jurisdiction in heraldic matters, and the court is fully integrated into the Scottish legal system, including having a dedicated prosecutor, known is Scotland as a Procurator Fiscal. This contrasts with England, where the College of Arms is a private body, and the Court of Chivalry, which is a civil court, has met only once in 300 years, in 1954.

The head of Lyon Court is Lord Lyon King of Arms. Just as in England's College of Arms, several heralds assist him:

• Albany Herald (John A. Spens MVO RD WS)
• Rothesay Herald (Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw, Baronet, QC)
• Ross Herald (Charles J. Burnett)
• Unicorn Pursuivant (Alastair Campbell of Airds)
• Carrick Pursuivant (Elizabeth A. Roads MVO)
• Bute Pursuivant (W. David H. Sellar)

From time to time, others can be appointed temporarily or as a recognition of their work. These are styled Herald or Pursuivant Extraordinary, in this way the previous Lord Lyon, Sir Malcolm Innes of Edingight, serves as Orkney Herald Extraordinary.

Only two people, the Lord Lyon and the Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records are paid a salary as full time public servants.

External links

• Court of the Lord Lyon