Heather (Wand Wood)

• Type: Wand Wood
• Owners: Members of the MacCliverts clan (Pottermore); no owners are named in the original novels.
• Maker: Various Wandmakers, though its use is noted as ancient.

Heather is a type of wood derived from the low-growing perennial shrub of the same name, commonly found on heaths and moorlands, particularly in Scotland. The plant is known for its small, bell-shaped flowers which are typically purple or pink. The specific appearance of a finished wand crafted from heather wood, such as its colour, texture, or grain, is not described in any official source material.

All known magical properties of heather wands are described on the Pottermore website. This wood is associated with protection and passion.

• Protectiveness: The primary quality of heather is its powerful protective magic. A heather wand is said to go to great lengths to safeguard its owner from harm. (Pottermore)
• Passionate Owners: Heather wands work best for those who are passionate by nature. They are drawn to owners with strong feelings and convictions. (Pottermore)
• Difficult to Master: Despite its connection to passion, the wood is described as being difficult to control and requires a master who can maintain a cool head and direct its powerful magic effectively. (Pottermore)

The history of heather wands is rooted in ancient Scottish magic, as detailed on Pottermore. For many centuries, heather was the exclusive Wand Wood of the MacCliverts, a prominent and ancient Scottish Wizarding Family. The MacCliverts believed that only a heather wand was worthy of their hand and that it greatly enhanced their formidable magical abilities. (Pottermore) After the last of the MacCliverts line disappeared, the specific knowledge of how to unlock the full and formidable potential of a heather wand was said to have been lost with them. However, experienced Wandmakers like Garrick Ollivander remain aware of its fundamental protective nature. (Pottermore)

Heather as a Wand Wood is not mentioned at any point in the seven original Harry Potter novels. No character is depicted owning or using a heather wand, and the wood plays no part in the events of the First Wizarding War or the Second Wizarding War. Its existence serves to broaden the established Wandlore of the wizarding world through supplementary writings by J.K. Rowling.

All canonical information regarding heather as a Wand Wood originates from J.K. Rowling's writings for the Pottermore (now Wizarding World) website. In real-world folklore, particularly in its native Scotland, heather is a symbol of good luck, admiration, and protection. White heather, in particular, is considered to be a bringer of good fortune. This traditional symbolism aligns closely with the protective magical qualities assigned to the wood in the Harry Potter universe.