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Heathering Wednesday
"🎶 That's what I'd like to do ...
See the heather ... once with you."
~ The Heather on the Hill, Brigadoon, 1949
Purple tartan wearers, this exquisite design is sure to catch the eye of many an admirer, reflecting the beauty of the late heather season. Purple heather, also known as Calluna vulgaris, typically blooms from late July through September, with its peak in August. Even as the season wanes, the hills and moors remain alive with vibrant purple hues. Heather, cherished since ancient times, holds deep significance in Celtic and Scottish traditions as a symbol of resilience and luck. It also plays a vital role in the natural world, attracting honeybees, bumblebees, and butterflies like the Small Heath and Meadow Brown. This connection to nature produces the famous heather honey, known for its rich, distinctive flavor. The colors chosen in this tartan honor the natural beauty of the heather blossom—from purples and lavender to the greens of its foliage and the soft barley hues of its stems. The deep red threads symbolize the enduring efforts of those who have worked to preserve the Scottish Highlands and its culture throughout history. Gather your heather while ye may! 💜 💚 🤍 ❤️ 🌸
Scotland’s rolling hills and dramatic landscapes come alive with vibrant purple hues during the late summer months, when the heather blooms. One of the best places to experience this breathtaking sight is the Cairngorms National Park, located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands. The park offers vast stretches of heather-clad hills, especially around Loch Morlich and Glenmore Forest, where the contrast of purple heather against rugged mountains creates an unforgettable panorama. The park’s numerous trails allow visitors to hike through these heather-covered moorlands while spotting local wildlife, including red deer and golden eagles, adding to the sense of wilderness and adventure.
Another stunning location to view heather in Scotland is the Isle of Skye. Famous for its dramatic cliffs and otherworldly landscapes, Skye becomes a sea of purple during heather season. The Quiraing and the Fairy Glen are particularly striking, offering visitors a chance to walk through fields of blooming heather with stunning views of the surrounding lochs and mountains. For a more coastal experience, the cliffs around Neist Point, with their heather-topped slopes overlooking the sea, create a truly magical setting that combines Scotland’s wild beauty with the serenity of the heather’s bloom.
For more on the best places to view the last of the heather, click the heather!