The Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms is the national heraldic authority for Scotland & Scots abroad. The Lord Lyon, in his capacity as a minister of the Crown, is responsible for granting arms to "virtuous and well deserving persons" in the name of HM The Queen. Heraldry is protected by statute in Scotland and arms may only be used if registered with the Court of the Lord Lyon. The Lord Lyon is
also a judge and has the power to fine individuals who misuse arms and to seize and destroy property which bears arms illegally. The Lord Lyon also has the responsibility of recognising the rights of individuals to existing arms, either as the direct heir or as a descendent of the grantee. In the latter circumstance he may matriculate the existing arms with a small change or difference for use by such a person as their own arms. The Lord Lyon is responsible for the recognition of the chiefs of the many Scottish clans. The Public Register of All Arms and Bearings in Scotland is maintained by the Lyon Clerk and Keeper of the Records. It contains the description of every coat of arms legally registered in Scotland since 1672 and, in many cases, paintings of those arms. The Lord Lyon is responsible for state ceremony in Scotland and regularly organises events when HM The Queen is in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, during the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, and for the proclamation of the dissolution of the Westminster parliament. On such occasions he is attended by HM Officers of Arms. The Lyon Office also contains the Chancery of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, Scotland's premier order of chivalry, which is administered by the Order's Secretary, currently also Lyon Clerk. The Lyon Office holds a considerable archive of material about heraldry and the other aspects of its work.
