The term "scotch gale" refers to a type of small, evergreen shrub that is commonly found in coastal areas of Scotland and Ireland. This plant is also known by various other names, including heath broom, ling, and heather. While all of these terms generally refer to the same type of plant, there are subtle differences between them. For example, heath broom is a term that is often used to describe the more woody, upright varieties of the plant, whereas ling is typically used to describe the low-growing, more spreading varieties of the plant. Heather, on the other hand, generally refers to the more ornamental, cultivated varieties of the plant.