Heather is the second most recognizable floral symbol of Scotland, after the thistle. This plant had many practical uses such as roofing, dyeing, rope, brooms, and more. It was also used to treat coughs, tuberculosis, anxiety, arthritis, and rheumatism.

Another use for heather was to make Heather Ale. The Picts made it for centuries with a secret recipe that did not require the use of malt, hops, or sweeteners. Archaeologists have found traces of a fermented drink containing heather in a 3,000-year-old pottery shard.

Legend has it that in the fourth century, the Vikings defeated the Pictish army and cornered the king and his son on a cliff. The Viking chieftain wanted the secret recipe for heather ale. The King knew the secret was safe with him, but he wasn’t sure if his son could keep it safe. Fearing that his son would reveal the secret under torture, the Pictish king “agreed” to reveal the recipe, only if his son died quickly. His son was quickly killed and thrown from the cliff. The king then grabbed the Viking chieftain and threw them both off the cliff, keeping the recipe a secret forever.

Most heathers are purple in color, but there are rare white heathers as well. Rumored to grow over the final resting places of fairies and only where no blood has been spilled, the plant is said to be extremely lucky. Queen Victoria introduced wearing white heather at weddings for luck. Some clans have attributed victory to using sprays of white heather or evading capture by hiding in patches of white heather.

According to myth, the beautiful daughter of the Celtic bard Ossian, Malvina, was betrothed to a brave warrior named Oscar. One day, Malvina was waiting for Oscar’s return from the war, when a messenger approached her. Oscar had died in battle and he sent the messenger with a briar branch to give to Malvina as a final token of his love for her. Malvina began to cry and her tears fell on the heather, which immediately turned white. She wandered the moors sobbing, her tears turning white every heather they touched. She said “although it is the symbol of my grief, may the white heather bring good fortune to all who encounter it.”