Re: The Sinclair Badge: Whin

[Niven Sinclair <niven@niven.co.uk>]

At 10:00 06/02/00 -0500, you wrote:
>To answer Laurel's question, Whin is Scots for Gorse or Furze (Ulex
>Europaeus).  It is a spiky shrub which has a yellow flower.  There is a
>similar plant called the Broom which does not have spikes and may be an
>alternative.  My first serious encounter with Scots whins came early in my
>infantry training on Castle Law Ranges in the Pentland Hills not far from
>Rosslyn.  During skirmishing I had to take cover.  I had the choice of a low
>Whin bushes or bare ground covered in sheep manure.  I chose the Whin, but
>thereafter favoured the Sheep manure.  I can therefore confirm its hardiness,
>a suitable symbol for the Clan!  Those visiting Scotland for Sinclair 2000
>will see a great deal of Whin both in Caithness and on the way.
>
>I have put a picture of a whi sprig, such as one would place in one's
>headress on my "Connections with Clan Sinclair" page in my website.
>
>The Rowan (Sorbus Aucuparia) is otherwise known as Mountain Ash. There is a
>sing called "Rowan Tree" playing in the backround of my Mother's family page
>on my website, as a Rowan Tree stood in he Grandmother's garden.  The URL is
>http://ourworld.cs.com/inslaird/Alice_Laing.htm
>
>For a full description of the Rowan see http://www.botany.com/sorbus.html and
>for a picture see
>http://project.bio.iastate.edu/trees/campustrees/Sorbus_text.html.
>
>Yours aye
>
>Iain
>
>http://ourworld.cs.com/INSLaird/
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The use of plants by the different Clans was part of the "langue verte" or 
green
language which allowed people to identify themselves. The majority of the 
men would
not be in possession of a Clan badge or, indeed, a kilt when they were 
called to take
part in either a Clan battle or to defend Scotland against English invaders.

Niven Sinclair

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