Motto and Arms

Robert the Bruce

Aberdeen was one of  the cities to shelter King Robert the Bruce when he was deposed by King Edward I's army in 1307. The burghers of the city, who had long been under the influence of the English,  had pledged their allegiance to The Bruce. Inhabitants of the city also furnished him with large supplies of money and provisions.

In recognition of this Bruce issued the Greater Charter (1319) granting citizens of Aberdeen ownership of his hunting grounds in the Forest of Stocket (now Mid Stocket) in feu.

Coat of Arms

Legend has it that when the Castle of Aberdeen was stormed and the English troops were killed 'all in one night' the watchword to initiate the campaign was 'Bon Accord', and it is from this massacre that the Coat of Arms originated.

There is some contention as to the origins of the Arms - consisting of a red shield bearing three triple towered castles within the double royal tressure. However, it is widely accepted that these represent the fortifications that from earliest times stood on the three hills (where the city sprang up), namely Castle Hill, the Port or Windmill Hill (Gallowgate) and St Catherine's Hill (Adelphi).

The double treasure is an honourable augmentation to the Arms and was granted as a recompense for the loyalty of the citizens in their services to the King against the English. The Arms are supported by two leopards and features a scroll with the words 'Bon Accord'.

The following epigram gives a vivid and rather touching description of the Armorial Bearings:

'The three-fold Towres the Castle shews regained,
From enemies who hit it by force maintained,
the leopards which on each hand ye view,
The cruel temper of these foes do shew,
The Shield and Lilies by the King's command,
As pledges of his great goodwill do stand,
The colour calls the blood there shed to mind,
Which these proud foes unto their cost did find,
And Bon Accord (which doth safely come
To Common-Wealth) establisht was at home'.