# Flora MacIvor — Waverley character guide > Flora MacIvor in Waverley by Walter Scott. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Flora, Miss MacIvor, dear Flora **First appearance:** 0026-part-i-xxi-the-chieftain-s-sister ## Snapshot Fergus's sister, a fervent Jacobite and gifted singer, she refuses Waverley's love out of devotion to a cause she knows may kill them both. ## Who they are Flora MacIvor is the ornament of her brother's house, admired for her beauty and her voice, and far more single-minded than either of her suitors. She loves the Stuart cause as a sacred duty rather than a career, and she will not let Waverley enlist on a moment's pique when she believes he has no real conviction to sustain him. Her refusal is the moral centre of the early romance: she is the one person who sees Edward clearly, and her honesty redirects his affections toward her gentler friend Rose. ## Relationships ### [Edward Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/edward_waverley) _romantic_ Edward is infatuated with the proud and idealistic Flora, but she rejects his love due to her devotion to the Jacobite cause and her brother. ### [Fergus MacIvor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/fergus_macivor) _family_ Fergus and Flora are devoted siblings, with Flora fiercely supporting her brother's political ambitions and sharing his Jacobite fervor. ### [Edward Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/edward_waverley) _romantic_ Edward is infatuated with the proud and idealistic Flora, but she rejects his love due to her devotion to the Jacobite cause and her brother. ### [Edward Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/edward_waverley) _romantic_ Edward is infatuated with the proud and idealistic Flora, but she rejects his love due to her devotion to the Jacobite cause and her brother. ### [Fergus MacIvor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/fergus_macivor) _family_ Fergus and Flora are devoted siblings, with Flora fiercely supporting her brother's political ambitions and sharing his Jacobite fervor. ### [Fergus MacIvor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/fergus_macivor) _family_ Fergus and Flora are devoted siblings, with Flora fiercely supporting her brother's political ambitions and sharing his Jacobite fervor. ## In the story ### [Editor's Introduction to Waverley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/editor-s-introduction-to-waverley) Mentioned for her heroic heart and high, selfless hopes. ### [XX: A Highland Feast](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xx-a-highland-feast) Mentioned as the host of the tea-table to which Edward is invited after the feast. ### [XXI: The Chieftain’s Sister](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxi-the-chieftain-s-sister) The chieftain's sister, deeply loyal to the Stuart cause, highly accomplished, and beloved by her clan. ### [Highland Minstrelsy](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxii-highland-minstrelsy) Engages Waverley in conversation about Celtic poetry, recites and translates a Highland battle-song, and displays her harp-playing. ### [Waverley Continued at Glennaquoich](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxiii-waverley-continued-at-glennaquoich) Sings, discusses the Baron and Rose Bradwardine, and expresses disapproval of Donald Bean Lean. ### [A Stag-Hunt and Its Consequences](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxiv-a-stag-hunt-and-its-consequences) Waverley's romantic interest; her talents and charm fascinate him during his stay at Glennaquoich. ### [An Eclaircissement](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxvi-an-eclaircissement) Refuses to exploit Waverley's emotional state; gently rejects his proposal and urges him to consider the justice and danger of the Jacobite cause. ### [XXVII: Upon the Same Subject](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxvii-upon-the-same-subject) Flora firmly but gently rejects Waverley's suit, explaining that her devotion to the Stuart cause leaves no room for romantic love. ### [A Letter from Tully-Veolan](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxviii-a-letter-from-tully-veolan) Mentioned in Rose's letter and in Waverley's thoughts as he considers his farewell to her. ### [Waverley's Reception in the Lowlands After His Highland Tour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-i-xxix-waverley-s-reception-in-the-lowlands-after-his-highland-tour) Subject of Waverley's romantic reflections; her poem on Captain Wogan's grave is enclosed in Fergus's letter. ### [Waverley Is Still in Distress](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-viii-waverley-is-still-in-distress) Waverley briefly and mistakenly wonders if the mysterious female figure might be Flora. ### [An Old and a New Acquaintance](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xi-an-old-and-a-new-acquaintance) Mentioned by Fergus as being safe and a spectator of their success. ### [XII: The Mystery Begins to Be Cleared Up](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xii-the-mystery-begins-to-be-cleared-up) Mentioned as residing in Edinburgh; Fergus notes she will attend the evening concert and ball. ### [A Soldier's Dinner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xiii-a-soldier-s-dinner) Mentioned by Fergus as someone who would have other matters to think of than money if he falls. ### [The Ball](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xiv-the-ball) Receives Edward coldly, calling him a 'second brother,' and remains reserved despite his brilliance. ### [XXII: Intrigues of Love and Politics](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxii-intrigues-of-love-and-politics) Is grazed by a bullet during the Chevalier's entry into Edinburgh and shows high spirit by dismissing the danger. ### [Intrigues of Society and Love](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiii-intrigues-of-society-and-love) Maintains strict indifference towards Waverley; secretly encourages Rose's attachment to him; critical of Waverley's lack of ambition; aware of her brother's faults. ### [Fergus a Suitor](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxiv-fergus-a-suitor) Mentioned by Fergus as a potential instructor for Rose, though not present in the chapter. ### [XXV: “To One Thing Constant Never”](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxv-to-one-thing-constant-never) Debates Gaelic vs. Italian poetry; votes for music over Shakespeare; defends Romeo's fickleness as poetic art. ### [XXVIII: The March](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxviii-the-march) Refuses Edward's suit, leading to the rift between Edward and Fergus; mentioned as the subject of their quarrel. ### [A Skirmish](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxx-a-skirmish) Mentioned in Fergus's letter; she denies any encouragement to Edward and is in high spirits before news of the retreat. ### [Desolation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxiv-desolation) Has gone to Carlisle to be near her brother Fergus during his trial. ### [XXXV: Comparing of Notes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxv-comparing-of-notes) Receives the Baron's sympathy for her misfortunes. ### [XXXVI: More Explanation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxvi-more-explanation) The Prince observed her behavior toward Waverley and concluded she had no interest in him. ### [XXXVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxviii) Waverley intends to offer her an asylum with Rose after Fergus's likely execution. ### [Chapter XXXIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xxxix) Sewing Fergus's burial garment, gives Edward a diamond chain for Rose, and plans to enter a convent. ### [Chapter XL](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xl) Mentioned by Fergus; she is spared the final parting through a deceit, and Fergus speaks of her loyalty and grief. ### [A Postscript Which Should Have Been a Preface](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xliii-a-postcript-which-should-have-been-a-preface) The heroic reply imputed to Flora relates to a lady of rank not long deceased. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters/flora_macivor - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/waverley_se/characters