got a tattoo?

[EagleJCS]

I'm not an expert, but I have read quite a bit about heraldry. From what I've read, the 'crest' is technically the device above the shield and helmet - in your case, nh_mclean, the tower - with the wreath (a roll of cloth on top of the helmet, which is missing in nh_mclean's case). The 'coat of arms' is the entire picture (officially called an 'Achievement', per Lord Lyon's website) - the crest, the wreath, the helmet, the shield, any supporters (figures to the sides of the shield), decorations, and the ribbon with the motto. With Scottish clansmen, the crest (and wreath) goes inside the 'strap-and-buckle' to signify their allegiance to the clan/clan chief (with the motto on the strap).

That leads me to ask, Paul., which were you planning on getting, the crest or the coat of arms? In Scotland, you should remember, the coat of arms belongs to an indivual (an armiger), not a family. The crest thus also belongs to the armiger, and putting the crest (with strap-and-buckle, a la the crest badge) or coat of arms on any object (including yourself, I would suppose) would mean that that object belongs to the armiger. If prosecuted for it, wearing/using (usurping) someone else's coat of arms/crest is punishable by a fine and confiscation of the item(s) bearing the arms - in your case, wherever you have the tattoo placed. Yikes!

Not to put down your enthusiasm for getting a tat. Perhaps your famiily name and/or something personally symbolic would be better?