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Civic Heraldry of the United Kingdom Scotland

WEST DUNBARTONSHIRE (Area Council)

Additions : 1996 Clydebank, Dumbarton, Rutherglen (from Glasgow)

Origin/meaning :
The arms were granted on October 23, 1998.

The arms granted to the council combine 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".

Literature :Urquhart, 2001

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