Helladic Persevere motto, burgh arms of Leith crest, The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh, Lothian , Scotland, UK, EH6 6QW

Now the flag is set to be returned to the ownership of the community as part of a long-running campaign to allow Leithers to fly their coat of arms once again. The Court of the Lord Lyon, the heraldic authority for Scotland, has been responsible for the historic crest since 1920. However, Leith councillor Rob Munn revealed that Leith will once again be allowed to use the coat of arms freely in three months’ time. Councillor Munn, Deputy Lord Provost, said: “When Leith amalgamated with Edinburgh, the coat of arms fell out of use and was in the care of the Lord Lyon’s office. Previously the Borough Council had it. Over the past decade or so there’s been discussions about getting it back. The crest of the flag features representations of Mary and Jesus in a sailing ship, under the legend “Sigillum Oppidi De Leith”, which translates as “the seal of the town of Leith”, and above the phrase “Persevere”, and is believed to have been brought to the community by 11th-century French traders. The crest can still be seen on some lampposts, and on several old buildings in Leith. The Court of the Lord Lyon is understood to have heraldic artists currently designing a slightly different version of the flag for the handover. Its official title will be The Arms of Leith Neighbourhood Partnership and it will be based on the Arms of the former Leith Borough Council.