Restorer of the Ruins

The motto Instaurator Ruinae claims its origins from Robert Forsyth II who became feudal Barron of Dykes, first lord of Castle Dykes which resided in Lanark County, Scotland. The castle was originally built around 1350. When the English invaded Scotland and set about to destroy the walls of Dykes, the king called for someone to stop the raid until he had time to mass his forces. The Forsyth clan volunteered and legend has it that where there once stood a wall there now stood a Forsyth. The English were held then repelled. Later the motto Instaurator Ruinae was approved or granted to the Forsyth’s of Scotland for their services at the battle of Dykes.