Heated Debate Erupts Over Whether Unicorn Should Face Left or Right on Scottish Arms

A commemorative stamp issued by Royal Mail has reignited a centuries-old debate among heraldists over the correct orientation of the unicorn in Scottish heraldry, with factions forming along lines that one scholar described as 'so arcane that explaining them to a normal person would take longer than the argument itself.' The stamp, part of a series celebrating British heraldic traditions, depicts the Royal Arms of Scotland with the unicorn supporter facing dexter — that is, to the viewer's left. This orientation prompted immediate objections from a faction of heraldists who insist the unicorn should face sinister when depicted on Scottish, as opposed to English, versions of the Royal Arms. 'In the Scottish variant, the unicorn is the dominant supporter and stands to dexter of the shield,' explained Professor Ewan Counterchanged of the University of St Andrews. 'This means it faces sinister. The stamp has it backwards. This is not a minor error. This is a constitutional matter.' Opponents argue that the stamp correctly shows the unicorn in a position consistent with its appearance on the Great Seal, which they consider the authoritative source. 'The Great Seal has the unicorn facing dexter and it has done so since 1603,' countered Dr. Fiona Blazon of the Court of the Lord Lyon. 'If the Great Seal is wrong, then we have larger problems than a postage stamp.' Royal Mail has issued a statement noting that the stamp design was 'approved through the usual channels' and that 'we do not typically adjudicate heraldic orientation disputes.' The debate has generated a 247-page thread on the Heraldry Society's members' forum, where it shows no sign of resolution. One moderator described the thread as 'the heraldic equivalent of a land war in Asia.'