Flower Of Scotland Heather - A Wee Highland Coo Van Adventure

The Heilan' Coo Van's are back on the road with a new recruit this year - Heather. Heather is also one of Scotland's traditional flowers you can find it growing in abundance now, throughout Scotland and its many dramatic landscapes. Here is more about the beautiful flower of Scotland.

Heather Multi-Media Collage ©MDHarding

Flower of Scotland - Heather

History of Heather

Calluna vulgaris - Purple Heather has been mentioned in the Scots genius Robert Burns poems Bonnie Auld Scotland speak of "fragrant hills of purple heather'. Heather is also shrouded in superstition and folklore. Did you know that white heather is considered to bring good luck? The good luck charm dates back hundreds of years and is seen as being like a four-leaf clover. Why is this? Well, it is said to be associated with the gipsy women sellers and that it was bad luck not to buy it. The Heather's luck might also be contributed to the many battles that took place, in 1544 Clan Ranald attributed a victory to the fact they had worn white Heather in their bonnets and that Cluny of Clan MacPherson had escaped after Culloden, due to laying on a patch of white heather. Did you know that long before the many uses of Heather, the Picts used it to create Heather Ale?

Heather Hills Farm, Perthshire, Scotland ©MDHarding

Heather Flower Facts

Today you can buy various colours and species of heather from lucky white through to different shades of pink and purple. Discover more about heather and its growing conditions - www.theflowerexpert.com/content/growingflowers/flowersandseasons/heather

Flower of Scotland - Heather ©MDHarding

Heather Flower Meaning

Did you know most flowers have a meaning or a symbolic nature? This ancient flower originates both in Europe and in some parts of Asia. With close associations in Scotland but also growing wild in Mexico. Would you be surprised that this little hardy flower has made its mark on the wind-swept landscape, rocky hills and moors and that it has come to mean independence?

Uses of Heather

In times gone by heather was used to sweep the home, taking away the dust and leaving behind a sweet aroma. Today it is used for a number of commodities including, jewellery, clothes, dye, tea, chocolate and medicine.

Did you know some of the world's award-winning honey comes from Heather Hills Farm? Located in the stunning landscapes of rural Perthshire. The bees thrive on heather in the moorlands and create fragrant heather honey. Not only is it delicious but honey also has health benefits too!

If you are visiting the beautiful area of Perthshire in Scotland, I would highly recommend a visit to Heather Gems. Located in the town of Pitlochry, only an hour's drive from Edinburgh. Discover how they turn heather into amazing pieces of jewellery.

Heather Gem Highland Coo Brooch ©MDHarding

Heather Walks

May is National Walking Month and what better time to get outdoors than to walk in the Scottish Highlands alongside the Scottish Heather or perhaps you would like to climb one of the 282 Scottish Munro's such as Ben Lomond.

Ben Lomond ©MDHarding

I hope you have enjoyed reading about The Flower Of Scotland - Heather. If you have, don't forget to share! I'm sure your friends would appreciate it. Happy Travels:) x

Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own