Field Visit
Date 20 August 2002
Event ID 613592
Category Recording
Type Field Visit
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/613592
Coat of arms of the Biggars, carved in high relief, in a broken bell-shaped pediment above entrance to Camera Obscura. The shield is decorated with a blue bend (diagonal stripe) between two red mullets (stars), and is surrounded by white foliage. A helmet with a closed visor is above the shield. The crest is a pelican's head and neck, the pelican vulning her breast (wounding so that the blood appears dropping). Motto on gilded-edged cartouche below.
The whole door, including the coat of arms, was originally part of Woolnet House in Midlothian, built 1686. The house was demolished in 1953 and the door moved to the Camera Obscura in 1955.
According to Gifford et al, the coat of arms is that of the Biggars of Woolnet (1).
Inspected By : D. King
Inscriptions : In cartouche below coat of arms (incised gilded letters): GIVING AND FORGIVING
Signatures : None Visible
Design period : c.1686
Year of unveiling : 1955
Information from Public Monuments and Sculpture Association (PMSA Work Ref : EDIN1010)
