Home » Plants & Animals » Backyard Habitats » The Thistle

The Thistle

© Murdo Morrison

In Celebration of Tartan Day

One of the most powerful symbols of Scotland and things Scottish, is the thistle. Every Scot has heard some variation of the story about the enemy that were creeping up on the unsuspecting Scots and stepped on this prickly plant. Anyone who has had a close encounter with a thistle might almost feel sorry for them. And I know of few Scots who would willingly pick one, as portrayed in the movie Braveheart, when Wallace is handed a thistle by his sweetheart. I can only presume that many Scots snorted in disbelief when they saw that.

The thistle has been so often used as a metaphor for Scotland that one might almost take it for granted or consider it a cliché. As a symbol, though, it has endured and there must be a reason for that. I would like to think that Scots see it as an emblem of their own stubbornness and unwillingness to give in to circumstance. And certainly the plant has a number of characteristics that are reminiscent of the Scottish temperament. It is prickly, persistent, wanders far afield, quietly moves in and takes over, and is considered by many to be a bloody nuisance. Yet, hidden behind its gruff exterior, is a kinder heart. The thistle is of a lineage that has long been in the human herbarium, provides food for birds and insects and some even consider it worthy to present at table.

As a native-born Scot, I have seen the thistle in its many variant forms for as long as I can remember. It is prominent on the masthead of The Scotsman newspaper, other print publications and even online. One of its more abstract manifestations is its use as a symbol of the Scottish National Party. It also persists in more conventional form in countless linen table cloths, dish towels and other souvenirs sent overseas to relatives in Canada and the United States.

But perhaps in its nomadic ways, the thistle best symbolizes that Scottish diaspora that has brought so much talent to the world and particularly to North America. Many are not aware of the extent of that contribution. The Scots are quiet about their achievements and St Andrew's Days passes largely unnoticed by most others. But, for a small country, Scotland has made a great name for itself and people of Scottish heritage have touched every corner of the planet. We have all heard the better known names like John Muir, Andrew Carnegie, John Paul Jones and Alexander Graham Bell. But countless unnamed individuals have made amazing contributions in their wandering, building and striving. To them I pay tribute. We owe them a great deal.

The copyright of the article The Thistle in Backyard Habitats is owned by Murdo Morrison. Permission to republish The Thistle in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.