HEATHER ALE. 



beverage prepared by shepherds on the moor brewed 

 from Heather flowers, though honey or sugar to 

 produce fermentation was added." On the other hand, 

 McCullough, in his "Highlands and Western Isles" 

 (Vol. III., p. 383), denies that there ever was such a 

 beverage as Heather ale, though he says "the heath 

 flowers may have been added to the malt to give it 

 flavor." A writer in "Notes and Queries" adds to 

 the foregoing : "Beoce's Pictish legend is therefore as- 

 sumed to be a mythic narrative and we are not to 

 believe 



'The Picts were undone, cut off mother's son, 

 For not teaching the Scots to brew Heather ale.' " 



Whether or not the secret of the Picts was lost, 

 the belief that such a secret at one time existed has 

 afforded a foundation for many interesting legends 

 concerning it. 



In Ireland a tradition exists that the Danish in- 

 vaders brewed an inebriating liquor made from the 

 Heath, the secret of which was lost at their expulsion 

 after the battle of Clontarf. The brewing of ale or 

 beer from Heather continued in Ireland until the com- 

 mencement of the i Qth century, when, owing to the 

 low prices received for raw grains, these materials 

 were employed for the purpose. A writer in "Notes 

 and Queries" thus explains the Irish tradition : "The 

 point about Heath beer there is explained as follows : 

 When the little plant is in blossom, and a very pretty 

 blossom it bears, it has a peculiarly attractive odor and 

 taste. It was then gathered and carefully cleaned and 



