The Legend of White Heather

Within the rich tapestry of Scottish Folklore lies the enchanting legend of White Heather. This small, unassuming plant symbolises luck and protection and has captured the imagination of many. While the most common heather colours are pink and purple, finding a patch of white heather is considered a rare occurrence. It is said that stumbling upon white heather will bring luck to the fortunate observer. The stories of this legendary plant are deeply rooted in Scottish tradition: however, the tales have been passed down through the generations, and the delicate flower is still seen as a symbol of good fortune today, although the tale’s origins are debated…

Some say that during a fierce battle between two Scottish clans, a beautiful fairy touched by the bravery of one young warrior appeared on the battlefield. As a token of gratitude for his courage, the fairy transformed herself into a white heather, offering protection and good fortune for the young warrior.

Others argue that the beautiful purple colour is the stain from blood spilt in ancient battles. Therefore, white heather is good luck as it hasn’t been tainted by the blood of slain warriors. Some believe that white heather grows in the resting place of fairies.

The most well-known tale is of Malvina, the daughter of Celtic bard Ossian. She was betrothed to Oscar, a brave warrior who was tragically slain in battle. The messenger who delivered the news to Malvina carried a sprig of purple heather, which was gifted to her from Oscar as a final token of his undying love. As her tears fell on the sprig, the strength of her grief turned the purple flowers to white, and as she wandered the moors, everywhere her tears fell, the heather turned to white. Despite her grief, Malvina said, “Although it is a symbol of my sorrow, may the white heather bring good fortune to all who find it”.

White Heather is closely intertwined with battles and conflict. There are many accounts of warrior clansmen wearing heather in their bonnets or on their spears, with the victorious men accounting their success to the lucky flower.

To this day, white heather remains an important symbol in Scottish culture. Brides still include it in their bouquets to bring them good luck on their wedding days, and it remains a popular gift for new homeowners to be left on the hearth to ward off evil spirits.

The Scottish legend of white heather has endured centuries, captivating those who embrace its folklore and symbolism. By our reckoning, if you’re holding a bottle of our whisky, you’re already one of the lucky ones. Whether adorning wedding bouquets, exchanged as a gesture of goodwill or as an enchanting Blended Scotch Whisky, white heather continues to weave its magic into the tapestry of Scotland’s Folklore.