Gàidhlig / English
Bròg na Cuthaig

Bròg na Cuthaig

Posted by Calum on 18th May, 2023
Carrying on from “Flùr na Cuthaige” there is another flower connected to the cuckoo: “Bròg na Cuthaige” [Hyacinthoides non-scripta].

There are many names for it: Bròg na Cuthaige fhiadhain; Fuath-mhuc (Kintyre and Killin), Bogha-mucag, Lili Ghucagach, Lus na Gineal Gòraiche, Brocan and Ceanna-gorm. There are other names for the “Scottish bluebell” [Campanula rotundifolia]: Currac na Cuthaige (in Mull); Clag-ghuirmean; Flùran-chluigeanach and Plùran-cluigeannach.

It is a beautiful plant, marking the start of Spring, where it can be found in woods.

According to the Urrais Nàiseanta and Urras Coille websites, almost half of all bluebells can be found in the United Kingdom alone, and with it being so rare there are laws expressing that one should not harvest nor destroy. They take very long to ripen and grow. In order to protect them some say that they would have been used in witches potions and if one was to enter a ring of bluebells they would be spell-bound, and it would not be long until a fairy would visit them and they would do. Perhaps it is the case that people think it’s a deadly plant because people used to use it for poisons, but there are useful and helpful properties for medicine with it being a “diuretic” and its blood staunching properties as well.

In the language of flowers the plant represents humility, gratitude, constancy, and eternal love.
Do you recognise the names above? Do you have any other knowledge or folklore that isn’t written above? Let us know on facebook, twitter and our own website!

Before we finish, I will leave you with a riddle: “Which shoe never enclosed a person’s foot?”
[Answer ; The title of this blog!]
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