• Login
InfoNewsLive
No Result
View All Result
  • TRAVEL GUIDES
    • Hawaii
    • Australia
    • Scotland
    • Canada
    • Switzerland
    • Netherlands
    • Germany
    • New Zealand
    • Ireland
    • Austria
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
InfoNewsLive
  • TRAVEL GUIDES
    • Hawaii
    • Australia
    • Scotland
    • Canada
    • Switzerland
    • Netherlands
    • Germany
    • New Zealand
    • Ireland
    • Austria
    • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Plugin Install : Cart Icon need WooCommerce plugin to be installed.
InfoNewsLive
No Result
View All Result

The unicorn – Scotland’s national animal

Alethea Dilys by Alethea Dilys
January 25, 2023
in Scotland
0 0
0
Home Scotland

We are known for our love of legends in Scotland, from ghosts and witches to massive sea serpents. How did the unicorn become our national symbol?

Table of Contents

  • Why is the unicorn the national animal of Scotland?
  • When did Scotland first start using unicorns?
  • Where can unicorns be found in Scotland?
  • There are unicorns in our collections.

Why is the unicorn the national animal of Scotland?

If we asked you, “What is Scotland’s national animal?” you might consider a few of our most recognizable species. You probably wouldn’t think of a magical creature with horns commonly depicted on children’s lunchboxes!

However, it is true that the unicorn is Scotland’s official national animal. Our affection for this well-known mythical creature dates back centuries.

Since the classical era, unicorns have been a part of numerous cultures, including those of the ancient Babylonians and the Indus civilization. In Celtic mythology, the unicorn’s white horse-like body and single spiraling horn represent purity, innocence, and power. Legend also states that their horns have the ability to purify poisoned water, such is their healing power.

These fiercely independent creatures are notoriously difficult to capture or subdue, which will sound familiar to anyone who has studied Scottish history. Despite the fact that unicorns are a myth, Scots have always been drawn to what they represent.

ADVERTISEMENT
The unicorn – Scotland’s national animal
Virgin and Unicorn, fresco, 1604–05, by Domenico Zampieri (Domenichino).

When did Scotland first start using unicorns?

Heraldry, the age-old practice of designing and displaying coats of arms or crests to distinguish between groups of people, armies, or institutions, is the answer to this question. Using heraldry as a guide, we can determine that the unicorn was first added to the Scottish royal coat of arms in the mid-1500s.

See also  The Pros and Cons of Living in Scotland

Prior to the Union of the Crowns in 1603, our coat of arms featured two unicorns as support. As a sign of unity between the two countries, when King James VI of Scotland also became James I of England, he replaced one of the unicorns with the lion, the national animal of England. Folklore enthusiasts are well aware that lions and unicorns have always been rivals, vying for the title of “king of beasts.”

The unicorn – Scotland’s national animal
The coat of arms of Mary, Queen of Scots at Falkland Palace

Notably, Scottish unicorns in heraldry are always depicted with gold chains wrapped around their necks. Why? It is believed that this was a way of demonstrating the power of Scottish kings by demonstrating that only they had the ability to tame the wild.

Where can unicorns be found in Scotland?

For millennia, people around the globe believed that unicorns existed. Georges Cuvier, a prominent French naturalist, attempted to dispel the myth in 1825 by stating that an animal with a split hoof could never develop a single horn on its head (he also argued against theories of evolution). Since then, however, the spirit of the unicorn has endured; National Unicorn Day is celebrated annually on April 9th.

So… exist unicorns in Scotland? Obviously they do! You need only know where to look. Here are some locations in Scotland where you can spot the national animal of our nation:

ADVERTISEMENT

When exploring Edinburgh, you will encounter a variety of unicorns of varying sizes. There is a fine example on a heraldic shield outside the gates of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, another in the Royal Apartments of Edinburgh Castle, and several hidden among the Victorian woodcarvings at St Giles’ Cathedral, just down the road from Gladstone’s Land.

See also  Beautiful Scottish Names and What They Mean
The unicorn – Scotland’s national animal
The mercat cross in Culross

Look for a unicorn atop the tower of every mercat cross (a Scottish market cross and an ancient symbol of trade and prosperity in many of our towns). In cities and towns such as Edinburgh, Culross, Prestonpans, Dunfermline, and Falkland, there are numerous examples ranging from the simple to the elaborate.

Stirling Castle, home of the ‘Hunt of the Unicorn’ tapestries, and Dundee, where HMS Unicorn, one of the oldest warships, proudly displays a unicorn as its figurehead, offer interesting examples of Scottish unicorns.

There are unicorns in our collections.

As part of our historic collections, there are also a large number of unicorns being cared for at Trust sites.

The unicorn – Scotland’s national animal
The gorget at Castle Fraser

In the wine cellar of Brodick Castle, there is a silver-gilt cup with three oval plaques depicting a lion, a bear, and a unicorn. Another unicorn is included in the royal coat of arms of the House of Hanover, which is featured prominently on a gilt military gorget (a type of metal collar) at Castle Fraser.

ADVERTISEMENT

Topic: The unicorn – Scotland’s national animal

Participate in Our Community “I Left My Heart in Scotland” .A place where members can open up to one another, share their travel stories and photos, and experience a new way to travel Scotland – together.

By InfoNewsLive

ShareTweetShare
ADVERTISEMENT
Alethea Dilys

Alethea Dilys

Outdoors expert and travel reporter Alicia is an adventurer, trail runner, hiker, and ultramarathoner. She worked as a physical therapist assistant for eight years before becoming a travel writer and a stay-at-home mom to her daughter. Alicia is a fourth-generation Arizona native who has also lived in Utah and Montana. Her happiest moments are spent in the mountains with her family, running long distances on trails and climbing peaks with her infant. Alicia currently resides in Mesa, Arizona with her husband, child, and chocolate lab, Maggie.

Related Posts

Scotland

25 Awesome Things Scotland Gave the World

January 31, 2023
Scotland

10 things people wished they knew before visiting Scotland

January 31, 2023
Scotland

The 20 most beautiful islands to visit in Scotland

January 31, 2023
Scotland

20 Reasons Scotland Is The Greatest Country In The World

January 31, 2023
Scotland

27 Scottish Words And Phrases To Describe The Weather

January 25, 2023
Scotland

The Pros and Cons of Living in Scotland

January 25, 2023
Next Post
Are You a Bad Tourist When You Go to Hawaii? 12 Ways to Avoid Being One

Are You a Bad Tourist When You Go to Hawaii? 12 Ways to Avoid Being One

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
The Most Beautiful Small Towns In Scotland - Top 24 Scottish Towns 2023

The Most Beautiful Small Towns In Scotland – Top 24 Scottish Towns 2023

January 13, 2023
The Story Behind Hawaii State Fish

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a – The Story Behind Hawaii State Fish

January 13, 2023
Relax at 10 Best Bars In Waikiki, Honolulu 2023 - Bonus! Top 8 Rooftop Bars in Waikiki

Relax at 10 Best Bars In Waikiki, Honolulu 2023 – Bonus! Top 8 Rooftop Bars in Waikiki

January 13, 2023
Seriously! 26 Things Not To Do In The Netherlands

Seriously! 26 Things Not To Do In The Netherlands

January 13, 2023

Moving to Scotland: 12 Things No-One Tells You About

2
Seriously! 26 Things Not To Do In The Netherlands

Seriously! 26 Things Not To Do In The Netherlands

0
The Story Behind Hawaii State Fish

Humuhumunukunukuapua’a – The Story Behind Hawaii State Fish

0
Relax at 10 Best Bars In Waikiki, Honolulu 2023 - Bonus! Top 8 Rooftop Bars in Waikiki

Relax at 10 Best Bars In Waikiki, Honolulu 2023 – Bonus! Top 8 Rooftop Bars in Waikiki

0

25 Awesome Things Scotland Gave the World

January 31, 2023

10 OF THE MOST UNIQUE FESTIVALS IN THE NETHERLANDS

January 31, 2023

8 Things You Should Never Say to Hawaiians

January 31, 2023

10 things people wished they knew before visiting Scotland

January 31, 2023
ADVERTISEMENT
InfoNewsLive

Address: 7 Coronation Road, Launchese, London, NW10 7PQ, UNITED KINGDOM

Contact us: [email protected]

Read more

Categories

  • Australia
  • Hawaii
  • Ireland
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Scotland

© 2023 InfoNewsLive.

No Result
View All Result
  • Hawaii
  • Scotland
  • Australia
  • Austria
  • Canada
  • Germany
  • Ireland
  • New Zealand
  • Switzerland
  • Netherlands
  • Contact Us

© 2023 InfoNewsLive.

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In