Philip Tibbetts
@vextibbetts.bsky.social
March Pursuivant Extraordinary & Honorary Vexillologist at the Lyon Court | Communities Vexillologist at the Flag Institute | All views my own
My emblazonment of the county of Aarhus' original banner of arms, posted today in honour of the 20th anniversary of arriving there to start my Erasmus placement at @aarhusuniint.bsky.social
February 2, 2026 at 7:17 PM
My emblazonment of the county of Aarhus' original banner of arms, posted today in honour of the 20th anniversary of arriving there to start my Erasmus placement at @aarhusuniint.bsky.social
Kinross-shire has launched a consultation about potentially running a flag design competition.
The survey is looking for people - all people but especially those from the county and surrounding areas - to input through the link below
The survey is looking for people - all people but especially those from the county and surrounding areas - to input through the link below
January 16, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Kinross-shire has launched a consultation about potentially running a flag design competition.
The survey is looking for people - all people but especially those from the county and surrounding areas - to input through the link below
The survey is looking for people - all people but especially those from the county and surrounding areas - to input through the link below
Whilst giving is always better than receiving, as per my last post, it is nonetheless very nice to get a heraldic gift. This Christmas I was touched to get these hand painted emblazonments from @bob.omg.lol
January 9, 2026 at 5:46 PM
Whilst giving is always better than receiving, as per my last post, it is nonetheless very nice to get a heraldic gift. This Christmas I was touched to get these hand painted emblazonments from @bob.omg.lol
It's always better to give than receive; heraldic gifts too. This year I used my daughter's love of Arthuriana as the excuse! A Guinevere-esque portrait by Luke Anderson and her first heraldry book - a King Arthur Armorial - which I'll have to see if I can borrow from her myself!
December 29, 2025 at 9:16 PM
It's always better to give than receive; heraldic gifts too. This year I used my daughter's love of Arthuriana as the excuse! A Guinevere-esque portrait by Luke Anderson and her first heraldry book - a King Arthur Armorial - which I'll have to see if I can borrow from her myself!
Given our work with symbols it was a privilege to be invited to yesterday's event on the anniversary of the Lockerbie Bombing and witness the laying of emblems by those organisations that responded to the disaster.
December 22, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Given our work with symbols it was a privilege to be invited to yesterday's event on the anniversary of the Lockerbie Bombing and witness the laying of emblems by those organisations that responded to the disaster.
A festive and moving vexillological display in this Christmas wreath - which I was delighted to see when visiting the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum recently - featuring the national flags of those nations who lost people in the bombing of PAA103
December 15, 2025 at 8:44 PM
A festive and moving vexillological display in this Christmas wreath - which I was delighted to see when visiting the Lockerbie Memorial Church Museum recently - featuring the national flags of those nations who lost people in the bombing of PAA103
Yesterday's St Andrews Day saw the sun really shine for what was also the 60th anniversary of the monument to the Saltire in its legendary birthplace of Athelstaneford. Hopefully a good omen for the Scottish Flag Trust's appeal to support a replacement.
December 1, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Yesterday's St Andrews Day saw the sun really shine for what was also the 60th anniversary of the monument to the Saltire in its legendary birthplace of Athelstaneford. Hopefully a good omen for the Scottish Flag Trust's appeal to support a replacement.
I thought #doctorwhoday would be a good occasion to display my monshō inspired heraldic artists mark, owing to its slight resemblance to the 'Seal of Rassilon' symbol used by the founder of Time Lord society. (Whilst coincidental I did spot the similarity early on and was happy to run with it)
1/7
1/7
November 23, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I thought #doctorwhoday would be a good occasion to display my monshō inspired heraldic artists mark, owing to its slight resemblance to the 'Seal of Rassilon' symbol used by the founder of Time Lord society. (Whilst coincidental I did spot the similarity early on and was happy to run with it)
1/7
1/7
My voluntary community flag work and heraldic projects have kept me very busy this last year - and will, of course, be something I continue - but I am pleased to be back in employment, having started with Babcock today, supporting the industry & defence of the nation
November 3, 2025 at 7:46 PM
My voluntary community flag work and heraldic projects have kept me very busy this last year - and will, of course, be something I continue - but I am pleased to be back in employment, having started with Babcock today, supporting the industry & defence of the nation
For #InternationalArtistsDay I wanted to share a recent commission, and it felt particularly apt to display this one which is the first to include my own artist mark, which the patron of this piece had encouraged me to develop.
October 25, 2025 at 12:33 PM
For #InternationalArtistsDay I wanted to share a recent commission, and it felt particularly apt to display this one which is the first to include my own artist mark, which the patron of this piece had encouraged me to develop.
Seen here in Australian skies is a special type of flag used by Scottish Clan Chiefs, known as a pinsel, which may be flown in a Chief's absence by a delegated representative.
October 17, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Seen here in Australian skies is a special type of flag used by Scottish Clan Chiefs, known as a pinsel, which may be flown in a Chief's absence by a delegated representative.
Berwickshire hosted a commemoration for the Burning of the Merse during the Rough Wooing this weekend in the village of Whitsome. A symbolic pyre was lit that evening. A fitting and evocative end to a thought proving day of remembrance and reconciliation.
October 13, 2025 at 5:48 PM
Berwickshire hosted a commemoration for the Burning of the Merse during the Rough Wooing this weekend in the village of Whitsome. A symbolic pyre was lit that evening. A fitting and evocative end to a thought proving day of remembrance and reconciliation.
With the Lyon Court's happy announcement today of the appointment of a new Kintyre Pursuivant - the first for a quarter of a century - this is how the line up of Scottish Officers of Arms now looks; personal shields displayed below each office badge.
October 10, 2025 at 5:19 PM
With the Lyon Court's happy announcement today of the appointment of a new Kintyre Pursuivant - the first for a quarter of a century - this is how the line up of Scottish Officers of Arms now looks; personal shields displayed below each office badge.
Happy International Vexillology Day 🎌
In the same spirit & theme as my post on International Heraldry Day, I thought it would be particularly appropriate to share my current thinking on how the Scottish Saltire would look had it been realised as a Japanese monshō 🏴🇯🇵
In the same spirit & theme as my post on International Heraldry Day, I thought it would be particularly appropriate to share my current thinking on how the Scottish Saltire would look had it been realised as a Japanese monshō 🏴🇯🇵
October 1, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Happy International Vexillology Day 🎌
In the same spirit & theme as my post on International Heraldry Day, I thought it would be particularly appropriate to share my current thinking on how the Scottish Saltire would look had it been realised as a Japanese monshō 🏴🇯🇵
In the same spirit & theme as my post on International Heraldry Day, I thought it would be particularly appropriate to share my current thinking on how the Scottish Saltire would look had it been realised as a Japanese monshō 🏴🇯🇵
It is not yet dark but the sky is already full of stars for the start of golf's Ryder Cup! 🇪🇺 vs 🇺🇲
Best of luck to #TeamEurope
Best of luck to #TeamEurope
September 26, 2025 at 4:40 PM
It is not yet dark but the sky is already full of stars for the start of golf's Ryder Cup! 🇪🇺 vs 🇺🇲
Best of luck to #TeamEurope
Best of luck to #TeamEurope
🏴☠️ For national 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' I thought I'd post this photo from the unveiling of the Girvan Flag where it appears a pirate flying the Jolly Roger was (probably) about to make it's escape from the law behind me!
September 19, 2025 at 6:20 PM
🏴☠️ For national 'Talk Like a Pirate Day' I thought I'd post this photo from the unveiling of the Girvan Flag where it appears a pirate flying the Jolly Roger was (probably) about to make it's escape from the law behind me!
This time last week I was in the stunning surroundings of Carlisle Cathedral, in my capacity with The Flag Institute, to witness the unveiling of the regional community flag for Cumbria; presented to the Lord Lieutenant in a sweet ceremony by the Wetheral Brownies.
September 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM
This time last week I was in the stunning surroundings of Carlisle Cathedral, in my capacity with The Flag Institute, to witness the unveiling of the regional community flag for Cumbria; presented to the Lord Lieutenant in a sweet ceremony by the Wetheral Brownies.
A very moving display of heraldry and other emblems in Tundergarth Kirk, for #opendoorsday yesterday, of many of the organisations that assisted in the aftermath of the PAA103 bombing.
September 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM
A very moving display of heraldry and other emblems in Tundergarth Kirk, for #opendoorsday yesterday, of many of the organisations that assisted in the aftermath of the PAA103 bombing.
Even off duty I cannot help but be drawn to a great flag display, especially one right on my doorstep with yesterday's Border Gathering in Annan
September 1, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Even off duty I cannot help but be drawn to a great flag display, especially one right on my doorstep with yesterday's Border Gathering in Annan
Yesterday my family and I had a fantastic visit to Shambellie House for the Japan-Scotland Community Cultural Festival 🏴🇯🇵
Amongst a huge array of experiences we got to try wearing a Yukata gown. Although not formally heraldic, like monshō, I was taken with the traditional symbolism it incorporated
Amongst a huge array of experiences we got to try wearing a Yukata gown. Although not formally heraldic, like monshō, I was taken with the traditional symbolism it incorporated
August 25, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Yesterday my family and I had a fantastic visit to Shambellie House for the Japan-Scotland Community Cultural Festival 🏴🇯🇵
Amongst a huge array of experiences we got to try wearing a Yukata gown. Although not formally heraldic, like monshō, I was taken with the traditional symbolism it incorporated
Amongst a huge array of experiences we got to try wearing a Yukata gown. Although not formally heraldic, like monshō, I was taken with the traditional symbolism it incorporated
Following the successful recognition of the winner of their flag competition with the The Court of the Lord Lyon, Girvan has been added to this Scottish flag map
August 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Following the successful recognition of the winner of their flag competition with the The Court of the Lord Lyon, Girvan has been added to this Scottish flag map
Girvan has become the latest place to raise an official community flag. It has been a joy to work with so many there for the last few months, especially seeing what it meant to the town - including the delighted winning schoolgirl - at the unveiling this weekend
August 4, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Girvan has become the latest place to raise an official community flag. It has been a joy to work with so many there for the last few months, especially seeing what it meant to the town - including the delighted winning schoolgirl - at the unveiling this weekend
Heartwarming to get a photo from good friends showing the wedding present I drew up for them up on their wall.
This uses linked clan crest badges to commemorate the union of their families, placed on a background inspired by their wedding recessional.
This uses linked clan crest badges to commemorate the union of their families, placed on a background inspired by their wedding recessional.
August 1, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Heartwarming to get a photo from good friends showing the wedding present I drew up for them up on their wall.
This uses linked clan crest badges to commemorate the union of their families, placed on a background inspired by their wedding recessional.
This uses linked clan crest badges to commemorate the union of their families, placed on a background inspired by their wedding recessional.
On a very warm day last weekend I was thankful for the hospitality of the Ramsay family at Bamff House in Perthshire who were hosting the Convention of the Baronage of Scotland to whom I was invited to speak on the topic of flags for The Court of the Lord Lyon.
July 18, 2025 at 5:16 PM
On a very warm day last weekend I was thankful for the hospitality of the Ramsay family at Bamff House in Perthshire who were hosting the Convention of the Baronage of Scotland to whom I was invited to speak on the topic of flags for The Court of the Lord Lyon.
My arms have been emblazoned with many types of chain, but never before with a daisy chain which is inspired!
This idea was commissioned with Luke Anderson by Heidi Armitage-Tibbits who had the idea to put a floral spin on my spiral in this homage.
This idea was commissioned with Luke Anderson by Heidi Armitage-Tibbits who had the idea to put a floral spin on my spiral in this homage.
July 11, 2025 at 12:43 PM
My arms have been emblazoned with many types of chain, but never before with a daisy chain which is inspired!
This idea was commissioned with Luke Anderson by Heidi Armitage-Tibbits who had the idea to put a floral spin on my spiral in this homage.
This idea was commissioned with Luke Anderson by Heidi Armitage-Tibbits who had the idea to put a floral spin on my spiral in this homage.