Legend of the Thistle

Scottish Defenders

According to legend, the Viking King Hanken of Norway invaded the Scottish Count of Largs under the cover of darkness. The invading Vikings removed their footwear to silence their advance on the sleeping Scots. During that advance, an unsuspecting Viking stopped on a thistle plant. His cry of pain alerted the Scot Clansmen, who successfully defended their homeland that day.

Based on its role as protector of the Scots, the thistle was adopted as the Emblem of Scotland during the thirteenth century reign of Alexander III. The thistle protected the Scottish homeland, thus preserving the history and tradition of the plaid. For that reason, the thistle has been chosen to symbolize the permanent funding solution for education in the Park Cities. This thistle symbolizing the Tartan Fund, is preserving the history and tradition of our schools and our community.