A lymphad or galley is a charge used primarily in Scottish heraldry. It is a single-masted ship propelled by oars.[1] In addition to the mast and oars, the lymphad has three flags and a basket. The word comes from the Scottish Gaeliclong fhada, meaning a long ship or birlinn. It usually indicates a title associated with islands, such as Lord of the Isles, specifically those on the west coast of Scotland, including the Hebrides - but is not limited to Scottish arms: prominent examples including the coats of arms of New Zealand and New Brunswick.
Although the drawing of the lymphad for heraldic design purposes naturally became standardized, there are minor differences. These usually involve the position of the sails and oars and the tincture of the flags. There are other variations as well, such as the tincture of the ship. Additionally, the basket may be afire and a crew may be depicted.
Maclaren of Maclaren field: Or, lymphad Sable, sail furled, oars in action, flags Sable.
Maclean of Duart field: Or, lymphad Sable, sails furled, oars in saltire, flags Gules.
MacNeil of Barra field: Or, lymphad Sable, sails furled, oars in action, flags Gules.
Cluny Macpherson field: per fesse (divided horizontally) Or and Azure, lymphad Or on the Azure, Azure on the Or (i.e.counterchanged), sails furled, oars in action, flags Gules.
Shaw of Rothiemurchus field: Or, lymphad Azure, sail furled, oars in saltire (azure), flags Gules. Despite the English surname, Shaw, the arms have a "Highland", Gaelic appearance.
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