Globe plant?

Meomye

Whilst on holiday in Scotland this year I saw a beautiful purple plant which I believe was called a Globe Thistle? it was very hard (almost like card) and spiky. I have tried looking it up but the ones I have seen are called Echinops, and although they too are lovely they seem softer and fluffier. Anyone know what it was please? T I A 

Hostafan1

the flowers of Echinops are indeed very hard and spiky before they open.

Ladybird4

Could it have been a Cardoon?

Meomye

@Hostafan1 thanks, I will investigate further.
@Ladybird4, no, I certainly didn't see that one, how lovely Thistles are, I never gave them a thought before my trip, now, I am quite am admirer!

punkdoc

Agree with Hosta, Globe thistle is the common name for Echinops.

Silver surfer

Where did you see it? Growing wild or in a garden?
Might you have seen Eryngium?
Common names can lead to confusion.

https://www.google.co.uk/search?rlz=1C1CHBF_enGB785GB785&biw=1920&bih=938&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=x3e_W-jtHIr6kwXPxJigBg&q=eryngium&oq=eryngium&gs_l=img.1.1.0i67k1l2j0l8.15391.20048.0.21760.15.11.0.1.1.0.86.803.10.10.0....0...1c.1.64.img..6.9.648....0.Efaqy6ZGVdA

Or Cynara scolymus?

https://www.google.com/search?q=Cynara+scolymus&client=firefox-b&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjyrvn65f7dAhVLzqQKHb9aAFIQ_AUIDigB&biw=1920&bih=944

ZeroZero1

Could it be a globe artichoke?

Borderline

Take a look at Cirsium Rivulare.

Fairygirl

Cirsiums aren't hard though....
Did you get a a pic Meomye, or can you tell us if it was in the wild, or in a garden etc?

raisingirl

My money's on echinops. They are like little hard rubber balls with spikes all over before the flowers open.

pitter-patter

I too have seen a similar flower in Scotland that I really liked. I was meant to post it here for an ID but I’ve forgotten about it until now. This was in the Botanical Garden (no label strangely enough). Was it this, Meomye?