Flower o' the Heather: A Story of the Killing Times

by Robert William MacKenna

"Flower o' the Heather: A Story of the Killing Times" by Robert William MacKenna is a historical novel written in the early 20th century. The book is set during the tumultuous period of the late 17th century in Scotland, known as the Killing Times, highlighting the struggles of the Covenanters against royal oppression. The narrative follows Walter de Brydde, a young man who becomes embroiled in the violent conflicts of the time after being expelled from college. The opening of the novel introduces Walter de Brydde as he reflects on his reckless actions that lead to his expulsion from Balliol College. In a drunken mishap, he accidentally confronts authority, resulting in a year's rustication, which he decides to spend traveling to Devorgilla’s Bridge in Dumfries. As Walter contemplates his future, he encounters a soldier who persuades him to enlist in the King's forces, setting the stage for his involvement in the brutal military campaigns against the Covenanters. Throughout this portion, themes of youth, rebellion, and moral conflict emerge, suggesting the depth of Walter's character development amidst a backdrop of societal turmoil.