- Heather moors cover approximately 2- to 3-million acres of eastern Scotland and many more in the south and west. Heather plants are low-growing hardy perennial shrubs with blossoms running from white to a dark magenta. The thistle seen widely in Scotland grows up to 6 feet tall and is topped with lavender flowers protected by spiky outgrowths.
- The story goes that a band of Scottish warriors were sleeping on the moor when they were approached by Viking invaders. But the Scots were warned of their presence by the painful cry of a Viking stepping on the thistle thorn. The Scots defeated their opponents and the plant became known as the Guardian Thistle. Heather, particularly white heather, is associated with luck. Clan Ranald, in 1544, claimed a battle victory was due to the white heather worn in their bonnets. One MacPherson clansman escaped the British at the Battle of Culloden by hiding in a bed of white heather.
- Thistle and heather, both in Scotland and abroad, symbolize the country and anything Scottish. Many Scottish-American heritage groups use the emblems in their names or logos. Tourist goods produced in Scotland often carry heather and thistle decoration. The flowers, together or apart, have been worn as talismans of good luck and Scottish identity. Today, jewelry, clothing and even tattoos feature the emblems.
- The thistle has been an important Scottish symbol for centuries. The thistle was on silver coins issued in 1470, and was incorporated into the Royal Arms of Scotland in the 16th century. The thistle was the badge of the House of Stuart. Scotland's premier Order of Chivalry, established in 1687, is The Most Ancient and Noble Order of the Thistle and its members wear a collar chain whose links are made of golden thistles. Its motto, Nemo me impune lacessit (no-one provokes me with impunity), expresses not only the nature of the thorny plant, but of the Scots' resistance to enemies.
- Heather was used as a plant badge of the clans from ancient times. It was the emblem of the clans MacAlister, Shaw, MacDonell, MacDonald, Maclntyre and Farquharson, with white heather pertaining to MacPhersons. It is said that the chiefs of clan Donald carried a bunch of wild heather hung from the point of a spear into battle.
- Heather has had dozens of uses over the centuries. Today, it is an important staple diet for wild grouse. Grouse hunting is an important part of the tourist industry. Heather has been used to make roof thatching, brooms, dye, medicine and ale. Thistle has fewer practical uses, but its cottony fibers are used in pillow making and its oils for medicinal purposes.
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