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In 1966,
Secretary of State for Scotland Michael Forsyth further
reorganised local government, thus creating for Urquhart the
unexpected task of transforming his two works into a trilogy to
cover the heraldry of 32 yet more new councils. Now into his
eighties and decidedly frail, he thwarted failing health and
triumphantly produced the final work. Not only that, but he
included within this all community councils which had used
heraldry as a means of creating local identity.
Without his dedication, much of the knowledge behind Scotland's
burgh arms might have vanished. The notes he took from officials
up and down the land were backed by extensive research, for he
took nothing at face value. More than once, he was robustly
informed by a town clerk: "We already have our own
coat-of-arms"; and each time Urquhart diligently and gently
pointed out that such a symbol existed only in the mind, and
that nothing appeared in the records.
His lifelong foray into heraldry might never have occurred but
for his interest in his personal lineage. Born in Beauly the son
of local merchant Colin Urquhart and his wife Helen, daughter of
a Perthshire farm manager, he returned frequently in his later
life to his native town on genealogical forays, during which he
noted that Beauly did not possess arms. This led to examination
of those towns which did, and thus the beginning of a quiet
passion.
His researches caused him to become a frequent and welcome
visitor to the Lord Lyon's office in Edinburgh for more than
four decades. Possessed of a famously dry wit, and always with a
bon mot to suit the moment, he proved erudite and amusing
company. He wore his heraldic learning lightly. ready always to
share knowledge equally with beginner or expert.
With Mary Gordon. Lyon Court herald painter, providing the
illustrations, Urquhart produced his first work in what proved
record time, his book attaining immediate note in the heraldic
world. He turned dry minutiae into readable material, noting
that throughout Scotland, the lion is the commonest item on a
civic shield, and that counties in the north and west favoured
ships of various types.
The success of Scottish Burgh And County Heraldry- led to
Scottish Civic Heraldry in 1979 and the final volume Scottish
Civic Heraldry 2 in 2001. Each book was dedicated to different
members of his family. He also produced two non- heraldic books
on Scotland's police burghs.
He played a significant background role in gaining arms for the
community councils of Beauly and Cromarty, with his practical
eye suggesting their use in wider form. Thus these two towns
lead the way in Scotland in displaying the arms of the
neighbourhood on street signs.
R. M. Urquhart was born 6th December 1917 at Beauly,
Invernessshire and died 1st June 2003 at Winchester aged 85.
Gordon Casely ‘Roderick Mackenzie Urquhart OBE MA, Recorder
Scotland’s civic heraldry’ The Double Tressure, no 26, 2003, pp
24-6
R M Urquhart -
Scottish Burgh and County Heraldry Heraldry Today, London, 1973
Scottish Civic Heraldry: Regional - Islands - District Heraldry
Today, London, 1979
Scottish Civic Heraldry 2 Scottish Library Association,
Hamilton, 2001
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