THE HEATHER AS A CLAN BADGE. 



winkle; Macneil, Heather, Sea-ware, Trefoil, Dryas; 

 Macnaughton, Heather, Trailing Azalea ; Macpherson, 

 Heather, Box, or Red Whortleberry. 



The custom of wearing sprigs as badges seems to 

 have fallen into desuetude for a time. Phillips, in his 

 "Floral Emblems," says it was revived when His 

 Majesty visited his northern capital in the year 1822. 

 "His loyal Scottish subjects on that joyful event paid 

 their homage to their sovereign at the Palace of Holy- 

 rood, each wearing the heraldic emblem of his clan." 

 He then gives a list of the clan badges represented 

 there. 



Scott, in the "Pibroch of Donuil Dhu," pictures the 

 gathering of the clan Macdonald and the mingling of 

 the badges thus : 



Fast they come; fast they come; 



See how they gather; 

 Wide waves the eagle plume 



Blended with heather. 

 Cast your plaids ; draw your blades ; 



Forward each man set! 

 Pibroch of Donuil Dhu 



Knell for the onset. 



The Lowlanders had good cause to become 

 familiar with those various badges ; and a story is 

 narrated, telling of a ruse by which Prince Charles 

 Edward once hoped to impose upon the citizens of 

 Glasgow, but which was defeated by means of that 

 knowledge. He led several parties of Highlanders 

 through the Trongate, made them pass down a by- 



i55 



