RSHGA petitioned and was granted arms (sometimes known as a coat of arms) in 2025 by The Lord Lyon, King of Arms. The Court of The Lord Lyon has, since 1532, been the chief heraldic authority in Scotland, so we were delighted to have Highland games recognised and entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland, adding to a record that was established in 1672.
What are the hidden meanings within the RSHGA’s armorial bearings ?
Motto: In Gaelic “Neart Tron Dualchas” [ In English this is saying ‘Strength Through Tradition/Culture’ ]
Pronunciation guide: Neearsscht Tron Dooalchas (stress on first syllable and ch as in loch)
Description
The shield as a broad structure encompasses all Highland games and every aspect of each games. It therefore represents culture, community, sport, achievement, language, dress and the strength of Highland culture. The imagery matches this without focusing on any singular activity, this ensures the inclusion of every event and includes any new event added in years to come.
The base of the design is the all-encompassing icon of Scotland, the saltire, but this would be too strong an image in its simplest form, overpowering any other element. The saltire is derived from interwoven “threads” representing the tartan involved in all Highland events as well as the interweaving of the RSHGA through many games and of the combined strength of all those threads held together to form one body. This speaks of the culture, dress, community and strength of the RSHGA. The golden thistle wreath further represents Scotland as its national flower and reminiscent of victory through laurel wreaths of history, this highlights the achievement aimed for in every games event.
The crest above the helm addresses the royal aspect of the association, using the heraldic Unicorn of Scotland that supports Scotland’s Royal Arms, holding aloft the “honest” coloured thistle to link back to the shield imagery. Some histories link Highland games to Scottish kings and queens over the last thousand years, a connection which continues today through our patron, HM King Charles III.
The overall image is both simple and complex, lending itself to a square or rectangular banner which does not show allegiance to any existing Clan or Highland games heraldic arms in existence. The motto in Gaelic pulls these elements together to give the overriding message of “Strength through Tradition and Culture”, well representing the aims of the RSHGA and its member games.
The Royal Scottish Highland Games Association is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in Scotland SC178568.