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As Laird and landowner of a portion of the Blackwood Estate (Loch wood) The Much Honoured W. Daniel Petryga is entitled by Scottish law to carry the title Lord (Laird) of Blackwood. The Lairdship of Blackwood is one of the most notable and well documented Lairdships in Scotland. It has existed since medieval times, and in the 1500-1600s the seat of Blackwood was a feudal Barony. The Lairds of Blackwood have made their mark on Scottish history and feature in Scottish lore, folk songs and noble tradition, and the Blackwood district has been their native soil for hundreds of years.

Heraldry

The Blackwood insignia incorporates traditional heraldic elements, such as the fesse with a crescent and two mullets which is a tribute to earlier Blackwood heraldry including ‘the falling star of the House of Vere’. The mullet is often considered a symbol of truth, spirit and hope and in its capacity as a star it also denotes divinity, constancy and celestial goodness. The crescent symbolises that the bearer has been ‘enlightened and honoured by the gracious aspect of his sovereign’. It also symbolises the hope of a greater glory and lights the night sky for travellers.

The oak tree, which is bathed in the dim light of the celestial bodies, gives associations to the black woodlands and denotes age and strength. However, it is also a symbol of Native Woods Preservation’s cause, namely the protection of the native woods of Scotland. The motto ’silva sunt servanda’ proudly reflects our work. Can you find out what it means?

The crest symbol is a deer, which in heraldic means ‘one who will not fight unless provoked; peace and harmony’, and the deer is always a welcome visitor to Loch Wood.

 

Loch Wood is a beautiful unspoilt woodland situated on the Blackwood Estate outside the village of Blackwood in Lanarkshire. The estate was the head seat of the renowned Weir/Vere family who came to Scotland in the 10th century and lived on the Blackwood Estate until the 1930s. The wood contains various ancient woodland indicator species along with an abundance of wildlife which benefits from this varied habitat. There are mainly native broadleaf species such as birch, beech, sycamore, oak, ash and alder with some native conifers like Scots pine.


The woodland offers some good sporting opportunities, like trekking and wildlife stalking. An enchanting stream, the Cander Water, flows throughout the estate. The Cander Water was once dammed to create a small loch for ice skating and fishing but the dam has since been breached. This now forms and attractive wetland area with a diverse range of plant species. There are also Victorian footpaths and a former lily pond inside the woodland.

 

 


The Much Honoured (Sir Knight) W. Daniel Petryga
Lord of Blackwood

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