The rowan tree has long held a quiet place in the folklore of Scotland and across northern Europe. Its bright red berries, each marked with a tiny five-pointed star, signal the turn toward autumn, a season of reflection and remembrance.
Although often called Mountain Ash, the rowan isn’t related to the ash tree. It earns that name from its resilience, growing high in the hills and thriving where little else will.
In Scotland, it’s also known by names like Quicken, Wizard’s Tree, and Rone Berry—a sign of protection, endurance, and quiet magic.
In Gaelic, it carries beautiful meanings:
- caorunn – wood enchantress
- craobh chaoran – berry tree
- luis – drink
- uinseag – ash
It’s this sense of shelter and quiet strength that we try to carry into every visit we make. Just as the rowan stands watch in wild places, we tend your loved one’s resting place when you can’t be there, with care and respect rooted in tradition.
There is a well-known Scottish poem and song called “The Rowan Tree”, written by Carolina Oliphant, also known as Lady Nairne (1766–1845). She was a Scottish songwriter and contemporary of Burns, and her work shares a similar emotional depth and national spirit.
O! Rowan Tree
O! Rowan tree, O! Rowan tree, thou’lt aye be dear to me,
Entwined thou art wi’ mony ties o’ hame and infancy.
Thy leaves were aye the first o’ spring, thy flowers the simmer’s pride;
There wasna sic a bonnie tree in a’ the country side.
This poem beautifully captures memory, home, and deep emotional connection—all values that resonate.