In the sixteenth century, Clan Ranald, a Scottish clan, believed that they won a battle because they wore heather in their bonnets, which provided them with luck and protection.
In Scotland it is common to include a sprig of heather in a bride’s bouquet for good luck and for men to wear it on their lapel.
Scottish heather is also known as ling and can be found on heathlands, moors, bogs and woodland. Heather season runs from July to October when you can spot whole landscapes change colour from the delicate flowers. The best month to see heather in Scotland is in August.
The rugged landscapes of Scotland are transformed each summer by the blooming of heather bathing the hills and moors in hues of purple. This hardy evergreen shrub has been a symbol of Scotland for centuries and remains an iconic part of the country’s heritage.
When Does Heather Bloom in Scotland?
Heather, also known as Calluna vulgaris, blooms twice a year in Scotland – once in early summer and again in late summer. The peak blooming season is in August, when the heather moorlands are awash in colorful blooms.
The early summer blooming period starts in July and lasts into August. The late summer bloom begins in August and can continue into September and October, depending on the weather conditions. August is the ideal time to see the heather at its vibrant best across the Scottish landscapes.
Where to See Heather in Bloom in Scotland
Some of the best places to experience the heather bloom in Scotland include
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The Isle of Skye, especially the Aird of Sleat, where you’ll find both common heather and bell heather varieties.
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Lochindorb in the Highlands offers great views of rolling heather moorlands.
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Cairngorms National Park is carpeted in purple hues when the heather is in bloom. Areas near Boat of Garten are particularly scenic.
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The hills around Edinburgh, including the Pentland Hills and Lammermuir Hills, offer accessible heather spotting near cities.
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Glen Lui in Aberdeenshire and the Mar Lodge Estate provide idyllic Highland scenes of lush blooming heather along the banks of the Lui Water.
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The windswept cliffs near St Abbs on the Scottish Borders are lined with heather.
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Mugdock Country Park outside of Glasgow gives you a taste of Highland landscapes and heather without leaving the city.
The Significance of Heather in Scotland
The hardy heather plant has been part of Scotland’s culture, food, literature, and folklore for centuries. Ancient Scots brewed heather ale, used the tough stems for rope and bedding, and attributed magical properties to the plant.
White heather is considered lucky, while heather features prominently in Scottish poetry, songs, and artworks. The purple blooms covering the Scottish moors and hillsides remain an iconic image of the country.
Seeing the heather in bloom is a highlight for many visitors to Scotland. While the plant grows across northern Europe, it has become closely associated with Scottish identity and landscapes. Exploring the heather-clad hills and moors allows you to experience the soul of Scotland.
Pentland Hills Regional Park, Edinburgh
The Pentland Hills Regional Park is located just outside of Edinburgh and is one of the best places to see heather in Scotland!
With 10,000 hectares of countryside and 100km of paths, the Regional Park is a great place to go walking, hiking, cycling, horse riding, fishing and orienteering.
The colours change with every season and change from pink to copper as Autumn sets in.
The Cairngorms National Park is the largest national park in Scotland and one of the top 20 places to visit in the world according to National Geographic Traveller Magazine.
The moorlands here are a great place to see heather and the open habitat is maintained by grazing and regular burning.
The burning allows for a mix of habitat which provides long heather and shrubs for birds to shelter in.
There’s so much to do in the Cairngorms National Park including watersports, snowsports, wildlife watching, hiking and cycling. You can also take in the sights of ancient ruins, castles and whisky distilleries!
Scotland’s Spectacular Heather Bloom| Europe From Above | National Geographic UK
FAQ
Which is the best month to see the heather on the hills of Scotland?
Mid to late September could be a bit late to see the heather at its best. August is the best time, although early September should still quite a lot of heather in bloom. Don’t forget Scottish schools break up and go back earlier than English school. Most start back mid August.
What month does the heather bloom in Scotland?
August and early September are the best months to see heather in full bloom here and the Isles coastal cliffs and moorlands are a vibrant purple. The Fairy Pools, The Quiraing and Trotternish Ridge are especially picturesque spots for seeing Scottish heather.
What months does heather flower?
Erica heathers flowers are often referred to as winter-flowering heathers blooming from December until April.Mar 6, 2025
Where can I find heather in Scotland?
- Ayrshire, Dalmellington Moss.
- Highland, Rahoy Hills.
- Highland, Isle of Eigg.
- Midlothian, Red Moss of Balerno.
When is the best time to see Heather in Scotland?
The best month to see heather in Scotland is in August. The Pentland Hills Regional Park is located just outside of Edinburgh and is one of the best places to see heather in Scotland! With 10,000 hectares of countryside and 100km of paths, the Regional Park is a great place to go walking, hiking, cycling, horse riding, fishing and orienteering.
When does heather bloom in Scotland?
It usually blooms twice a year there, in early and late summer, and is at its peak in August. Where is the best place to see heather in Scotland? The Pentland Hills Regional Park is located just outside of Edinburgh and is one of the best places to see heather in Scotland!
When is Heather season in Scotland?
Heather season runs from July to October when you can spot whole landscapes change colour from the delicate flowers. The best month to see heather in Scotland is in August. The Pentland Hills Regional Park is located just outside of Edinburgh and is one of the best places to see heather in Scotland!
Where can I find Heather flowers in Scotland?
There are lots of places to spot the blooming heather fields across Scotland. Discover breathtaking heathery landscapes close to Edinburgh on the Lammermuir Hills and Pentland Hills. Besides, these flowers thrive on exposed slopes up the coast from St Abbs at the Scottish border with Northern England.
Where to find Scottish Heather?
The surrounding area is often referred to as “the Borderlands.” It is another great place to find Scottish heather. I recommend checking out the coastline around Eyemouth, St Abbs, and Coldingham on Scotland’s southeastern coast if you don’t have time to travel to Northern Scotland.
When does heather bloom?
Heather blooms at its best in late summer, peaking in August, when the moors and slopes of the uplands are a blanket of mauve and purple shades. As a bonus, the scent is glorious. However, not all heather is Calluna. Up to this point, we’ve been going on about generic ‘heather’ ie the mauve plant that is a kind of Scottish icon.