I started to post this in the thread from the 1977 Clan Gathering, but since it's very specific to heraldry, I figured it's better posted here in the heraldry forum.

MacMillan of Rathdown stated:

The hoist (that part nearest the pole) displays either the Arms of the Chief or the Scottish national flag. The rest of the flag (the fly) is made up of the Chief's livery colours, and shows his crest or badge, with or without his other heraldic or plant badges. His motto or slogan is shown on transverse bands.
I'll admit, heraldry confuses me and gives me a headache. But I'll ask anyway, because I don't know very much about it, though I find it fascinating...

On the standard of the late Sir Ivar Colquhoun, reposted below, I notice that the hoist portion generally resembles the Saltire, but is black and white, with the edges of the cross being scalloped. This is the same representation on his Arms, of course, but what is the significance of the scalloping, as well as the colour choice? I've seen vague references to it somehow being tied to the Earls of Lennox, but can't seem to find any further explanation.

Also, I notice the Red Hand in the corner. This confuses me a little. My own ties to Clan Colquhoun came via Ulster (of the Kilpatrick ilk), and it's not unusual for me to see the Red Hand of Ulster associated with my family's history, but I didn't expect to see it on the Colquhoun Chief's standard. It does not escape my attention that it is represented as a left hand, not a right hand. The only information I've seen on this seems to suggest that the left hand is used to denote a baronet, and Sir Ivar was the 8th Baronet of Luss. Is this the extent of the significance (i.e. his being a baronet), or is there more?

The rest of the pennant seems to make sense. I see the clan's wary cry of "Cnoc Ealachain", the red stag that appears on our clan crest, the clan plant badge (hazel), and the black/white which I assume to be the livery colours. But what is the item below the plant badge? Is it a buckle, and if so, what is the significance?