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Whilst thistles populate the Scottish highlands, when in the Scottish capital, one may need to turn towards flower delivery Edinburgh to see one as they are not quite so common in the city itself. The thistle is an ancient Celtic symbol that denotes nobility of birth and character. Since the reign of Alexander III in the years 1219 to 1286, the thistle has been the national emblem of Scotland and featured on the coins issued by James III in 1470. The Order of the Thistle was a high chivalric order of Scotland at the time, corresponding to its association with nobility of character.

The thistle apparently became the national emblem of Scotland after the Battle of Largs between Norway and Scotland. According to legend, the invading Norse army was trying to sneak into the Scottish army’s encampment during the night. One barefoot Norseman stood upon a thistle which caused him to yell out in pain, thus bringing the Norse invaders to the attention of the Scots.