Motto and Arms

King Robert the Bruce (1274-1329) bestowed on the citizens of Aberdeen a charter conveying to them his hunting lands or Stocket Forest.

The faithful burghers of the city, who had long been under the influence of the English, had shown their fealty to Bruce. He had found succour in the town and the inhabitants had furnished him with large supplies of money and provisions.

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 inevitably some contention among antiquarians as to the significance of the Arms that consist 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, one either side, and above, the 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'.