West and East Dunbartonshire Coat of Arms

West Dunbartonshire

The arms were granted on October 23, 1998 to the Council combining features from Clydebank and Dumbarton District Council. The elephant with a tower on its back is taken from Dumbarton District Council. It is a device which appeared on an ancient burgh seal of which a 1357 impression is on record. The elephant has been blazoned 'statant' and not 'passant' (as it was rather inaccurately) in the burgh arms and its forehead bears a red crescent for difference, thus indicating that it is 'a second happening'. It is said to have been chosen originally because in shape it was thought to resemble Dumbarton Rock; the tower on its back is for Dumbarton Castle.

The red saltire on the silver field is taken from Clydebank District Council's arms. It symbolises Lennox, the province in which the District lies. The dove represents the dove of peace. Also appearing on the crest, the demi-figure of St Patrick refers to Old Kilpatrick, a burgh of barony from 1672, and where the saint is reputed to have been born. The cog-wheel symbolises all of the local industries. A three funnelled liner represents Clyde shipbuilding. The motto is 'Strength through Community'.

East Dunbartonshire

The arms were granted on February 17, 1997. The shield bears the green/gold bends from the arms of the Burgh of Bishoprigg, with the silver mill wheel on red for the Burgh of Milngavie. On a white chief is the red rose from the arms of the old Earldom of The Lennox.

Unique for Scotland, above the Coronet for Unitary Councils appears a crest, drawn from the arms of the old Burgh of Bearsden (a bear looking into its den). The dexter supporter is a Roman Soldier with one foot on part of the Antonine Wall, and the 3 gold stars on his shield representing the Holy Trinity, are from the arms of the Burgh of Kirkintilloch, where the Romans had a fort. The sinister supporter is a coal-miner with one foot on a seam of coal.

The Motto, which is in Gaelic, means Moving Forward Together.

The IBD Home Page and each IBD County Page has or will have (where possible) the relevant Coat of Arms. This is made possible thanks to a fantastic heraldry website called the International Civic Heraldry Website. Sometimes a description is not given due to lack of information, so if anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated. You may visit this superb site by using the link below.