A kilt accessory for the yard

**English Bloke** · 19th October 08, 07:32 PM

In 1996 I was working as Non-Exercising Safety Staff for British Military exercises conducted on the Canadian Prairie near Medicine Hat, Alberta. One sunny afternoon, there was not much going on and I was sitting in my Landrover reading a book.

Suddenly my radio crackled into life and I was called up by an Air Corps callsign to inform me that he would be "arriving in my location ETA, approximately zero-two minutes". It wasn't often I was visited by passing helicopters and getting next to NO notice usually meant something was urgently WRONG.

I threw my book down and went to ensure that there was an adequate landing zone available, this is not difficult to do as you only need to identify a relatively flat bit, there are only three trees in that 250 square Kilometers of prairie. I also made sure that medical supplies and other vitals were quickly to hand should they be needed.

I could hear the chopper approaching so I guided the pilot in, landed him safely and moved to his 2o'clock position to await clearance to approach his Gazelle (helicopter). Before I had chance to give him my thumbs up, he stopped his rotas and was out of the cockpit and on the ground. He dashed towards me and as I was about to ask him what was going on, he stooped down and grabbed a fist full of grass. He rubbed it between his gloved fingers and smelled it, pushed it under my nose and said "sniff that!"

"What?"

"Smell it, smell that!" and he waved it under my nose again. I breathed in and looked at him with a 'have you been smoking this?' expression.

"It's wild Rosemary!" he said grinning, followed by "Gotta go" and with that he dashed back to his aircraft, jumped aboard and flew away.

I called him on the radio to ask "what was that all about?"

He replied "just thought you might want to know, the prairie's full of it." He was sober, possibly a little bored, definately MAD as a Fish! but one of lifes naturally Nice Blokes. It's an incident I will never forget and it still makes me smile when I remember!

In 2008 I started to take an interest in my Scottish Heritage. I learned more about my family history and the Clan Bruce and I discovered that the Clan Plant is... Rosemary

. Was it a message I wonder?

**Tetley** · 19th October 08, 10:54 PM

That would probably have scared the heck out of me, but then I'm not military in any shape or form. I guess it's different when it's your job.

I wonder what my clan plant is? I'd better find out....

Mark

**Wompet** · 19th October 08, 11:25 PM

Well, I've transplanted an oak and have plenty of thistles, so the Stewarts are taken care of, but I don't have any heather or bracken - yet.

**vmac3205** · 20th October 08, 12:30 AM

MacKenzie is holly. We have a large bush in the back. It's so prolific in the area that I am continually pulling up starts. If I didn't we'd be overgrown with them. Only the blackberry is more of a pest. Does make a reddy supply of cap badges, though.

**BoldHighlander** · 20th October 08, 12:51 AM

Originally Posted by Sionnach

I love that you could do such a thing. Clan Innes crest plant is (I believe) the bullrush and that would require some swampy area which my dessert clime does not have to offer, sadly!

Ditto for Clan Mackay....my property isn't marshy, but then I see it growing wild everywhere I drive around here, so it's a constant reminder

**BoldHighlander** · 20th October 08, 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by Joe Gondek

I was at the local nursery yesterday looking at trees
and I spotted a Rowen (European Mt. Ash)
which happens to be the plant badge of Clan Muir, My Clan

needless to say I bought it and it is now the first tree that I've planted in the back yard of my new home
not a bad start

Has anyone else planted their clan's plant badge?

Originally Posted by JS Sanders

In Scotland, rowan trees often are planted near entrances to homes to repel against evil spirits.

Once planted, it is particularly bad luck to cut it down. Necessary pruning is OK. The wood is as tough & durable as hickory and implements made from it supposedly possess special powers.

I've cast a portion of a rowan branch as a sgian handle - looks nice.

Slainte,
steve

I've been giving some serious thought to planting a couple trees out front of the house, & wanted to include at least one of Scottish origin. I'm a Muir as well....hmm

**thanmuwa** · 20th October 08, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by JS Sanders

The wood is as tough & durable as hickory and implements made from it supposedly possess special powers.

Hurls are made of mountain ash, and if you've ever seen a hurling match, you'd better believe they have special powers :-)

**Spc. Scott** · 20th October 08, 05:52 AM

I don't think bog myrtle will grow around my house...a little too "high and dry".

Maybe I should put together some plans to build a bog! The kids will love it!

**macwilkin** · 20th October 08, 05:57 AM

Since this is a discussion of plant badges, I've moved the thread to the tartans and heraldry section.

Regards,

Todd

**Sheep In Wolf's Clothing** · 20th October 08, 06:28 AM

I can't grow any type of plant. I have killed more houseplants than I would like to confess to. On the other hand, my younger sister is a very successful florist/landscaper. I wanted to grow the MacArthur plant badge this summer, so I could wear a fresh sprig of Thyme in my bonnet to a few highland games. So I consulted her. My little project went from planting my plant badge, to putting in a full herb garden, to putting in a rather large vegetable garden. All grew successfully! I was very happy.

This is how the thyme looked in my bonnet:

Sara