| Heather is the second most recognizable floral symbol | | | | keeping the recipe secret forever. |
| of Scotland, after the thistle. This plant had many | | | | Most Heather is purple in color, but there is also rare |
| practical uses such as for thatching, dyes, ropes, | | | | white heather. Rumored to grow over the final |
| brooms and more. It also was used to treat cough, | | | | resting places of fairies and only where no blood has |
| consumption, anxiety, arthritis, and rheumatism. | | | | been shed, the plant is said to be extremely lucky. |
| Another use for heather was to make Heather Ale. | | | | Queen Victoria introduced carrying white heather at |
| The Picts made it for centuries with a secret recipe | | | | weddings for luck. Some Clans have attributed |
| that did not require the use of malt, hops, or | | | | victory to wearing white heather sprays, or evading |
| sweeteners. Archaeologists have found traces of a | | | | capture by hiding in patches of white heather. |
| fermented drink containing heather on a 3000 year | | | | According to myth, the Celtic Bard Ossian's beautiful |
| old pottery shard. | | | | daughter, Malvina, was betrothed to a gallant warrior |
| Legend states that in the 4th century, Vikings | | | | named Oscar. One day, Malvina was awaiting Oscar's |
| defeated the Pictish army and cornered the King and | | | | return from war, when she was approached by a |
| his son on a cliff. The Viking Chieftain wanted the | | | | messenger. Oscar had died in battle and sent the |
| secret recipe for the heather ale. The King knew that | | | | messenger with a spray of heather to give to |
| the secret was safe with him, but was unsure if his | | | | Malvina as a final token of his love. Malvina began to |
| son would be able to keep it safe. Fearing that his | | | | cry and her tears fell on the heather, which |
| son would give up the secret under torture, the | | | | immediately turned white. She wandered the moors |
| Pictish King "agreed" to give up the recipe, only if his | | | | sobbing, her tears turning every heather plant they |
| son died a quick death. His son was quickly killed and | | | | touched to white. She said "although it is the symbol |
| thrown from the cliff. The King then grabbed the | | | | of my sorrow, may the white heather bring good |
| Viking Chieftain and hurled them both off the cliff, | | | | fortune to all who find it. |