Highland Heather

Nothing comes to mind sooner when Scotland is mentioned than the lovely Heather that rolls in waves across the hills.  The pink and purple variety is by far the most common, but legend loves the bonnie white Heather.

The Celtic poet Ossian had a beautiful daughter, Malvina.  She was betrothed to Oscar, bravest of all the warriors.

One clear autumn day, as Malvina listened to her father's music and thought of her beloved Oscar's imminent return from a conquest, she saw a figure limping towards them over the heather-laden moor. As the figure approached, Malvina realized it was not her beloved, but instead was Oscar's faithful messenger, who, wounded and weary, drew near.  Kneeling before her, the messenger offered her a sprig of purple heather, tearfully telling her that Oscar was slain in battle. As he lay dying, Oscar had plucked the heather and asked that it be given to Malvina as a token of his eternal love.

As she listened, tears fell from Malvina's eyes onto the purple heather, instantly turning it white!

Ever after, as father and daughter walked over the moors, Malvina's tears fell upon patches of purple heather turning them white.  But being as generous as she was beautiful, in the depths of her sadness, she wished that others might be happier than she and so as she walked she prayed, "May the white heather, symbol of my sorrow, bring good fortune to all who find it."

To this day, Scottish brides carry a sprig of white heather in their bouquets to honor her.