The emblem of the Caledonia
Golf Club Carnoustie consists of a willow tree surmounted by birds (either
crows or rooks) in flight. It must be derived from the 'Common Seal' of the
Burgh of Carnoustie which was adopted by the Town Council of 1893 and which
included, in addition to the tree and birds, the Latin motto 'Augurum Favet
' - 'The Augury is favourable'.
The tree depicted is
historically nicknamed 'Tammas Lowson's Dibble' from the legend that it 'had
sprung from a dibble (a pointed tool used to make holes for seeds or plants)
left carelessly in the ground', presumably by that gentleman. It grew and
at least at the time of writing, still survives - even if mainly by the benefit
of supporting tackle. It can be seen in the area now bounded by Ferrier Street,
High Street and Park Avenue, which was the original feu tenanted from shortly
after 1797 by Thomas Lowson, the 'founder and father of Carnoustie' who died
in 1856.
The birds are either crows or rooks. The designer of the 'Common Seal' reportedly
intended them to represent the rookeries which have always been a feature
of the Carnoustie scene. However, their popular mis-identification as crows
no doubt contributed to the fanciful attempt to derive the name 'Carnoustie'
from 'Craws Nestie', as perpetuated by the 'Craws Nest Tassie'.
Whichever species the
birds may be, they were certainly intended to be black in hue, albeit on the
current club tie they are undeniably white. Presumably this is because they
would have been indistinguishable against a navy background in their true
colour.
Whether a 'Sprouted dibble with four white rooks masquerading as crows' would obtain heraldic approval as an emblem is a matter for speculation, but it would surely please Thomas Lowson to know that it continues to commemorate himself and his tree.