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Here's Why the Unicorn Is Scotland's National Animal

The Scots had a thing for unicorns long before everyone else! As Scotland’s national animal, this legendary creature has served as a Scottish symbol for centuries. Although a mythical beast, the unicorn — a white horse-like creature with a lion’s tuft for a tail and a spiraling horn protruding from its forehead — has featured in many cultures as far back as the classical age. Babylonians idolised this enchanting specimen, while peoples from the Indus Valley Civilization incorporated the unicorn into ancient seals. Similarly, unicorns feature in written accounts from the ancient Greeks, Romans and Persians.

In Celtic mythology and folklore, unicorns are synonymous with purity, nobility, masculinity, power, courage and an unrivalled sense of strength. They also possess immense healing powers. The legend goes that a unicorn’s horn has the ability to purify waters tainted and poisoned by the surreptitious snake.

Mythology also states that these strong-headed creatures could not be caught unless by virgins, whose purity struck a chord with the equally as pure unicorns until they fell asleep in their laps. Many see this as an allegory for the bond between Christ and the Virgin Mary.

Folklore states that these two creatures were arch enemies in a perpetual state of battle for the title of king of beasts — the unicorn reigned with harmony as power while the lion ruled by valor. Interestingly, even an animal as great and powerful as an elephant, the unicorn’s second arch nemesis, was still no match.

Today, the UK’s royal coat of arms still showcases a unicorn for Scotland and a lion for England. In Scotland, however, the unicorn is accentuated by the addition of a crown and its place on the left-hand side.

Notably, Scottish unicorns are always portrayed with golden chains wrapping over their neck and body. Some liken these to the unicorn’s intense strength, wild temperament and determined will, while others view it as a symbol of Scottish kings.

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The unicorn – Scotland’s national animal

Why is the unicorn scotland’s national animal.

If we asked you ‘what’s Scotland’s national animal?’, you might ponder between a couple of our iconic wildlife species. You probably wouldn’t think of a magical horned creature typically seen on children’s lunchboxes!

But it’s true: the unicorn really is the official national animal of Scotland. And our love for this famous mythological creature dates back many centuries.

Unicorns have featured in many cultures going as far back as the classical age, including the ancient Babylonians and the Indus civilization. With its white horse-like body and single spiralling horn, the unicorn is a symbol of purity, innocence and power in Celtic mythology. Legend also tells that their horns can purify poisoned water, such is the strength of their healing power.

These proud, untameable creatures are fiercely independent and famously difficult to capture or conquer, which will sound familiar to anyone who has read their Scottish history. Even though unicorns are mythological, Scots have always felt drawn to what they represent.

When did Scotland adopt the unicorn?

The answer to that question lies in heraldry – the age-old practice of designing and displaying coats of arms or crests to distinguish between groups of people, armies or institutions. Using heraldry as our guide, we can see that the unicorn was first introduced to the royal coat of arms of Scotland around the mid-1500s.

Prior to the Union of the Crowns in 1603, our coat of arms was supported by two unicorns. However, when King James VI of Scotland also became James I of England, he replaced one of the unicorns with the national animal of England, the lion, as a display of unity between the two countries. Of course, folklore fans will know that lions and unicorns have always been enemies, locked in a battle for the title of ‘king of beasts’.

An interesting thing to note is that Scottish unicorns in heraldry are always shown with gold chains wrapped around them. Why? Although we don’t know for sure, it’s believed that this was a way of showing the power of Scottish kings – that only they had the strength to tame the untameable.

Where can you find unicorns in Scotland?

For thousands of years, people around the world believed that unicorns did exist. However, in 1825, a prominent French naturalist called Georges Cuvier attempted to dispel the myth by stating that an animal with a split hoof could never grow a single horn from its head (he also argued against theories of evolution). Nevertheless, the spirit of the unicorn has lived on ever since – people even celebrate National Unicorn Day every year on 9 April.

So … do unicorns exist in Scotland? Of course they do! You just have to know where to look. Here are some places in Scotland where you can spot our country’s national animal:

When exploring Edinburgh you’ll see a number of unicorns of various shapes and sizes. There’s a fine example on a heraldic shield by the gates to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, another in the Royal Apartments at Edinburgh Castle, and several hiding among the Victorian woodcarvings at St Giles’ Cathedral, just down the road from Gladstone’s Land .

Wherever you see a mercat cross (a Scottish market cross and an old symbol of trade and prosperity for many of our towns and cities), look for a unicorn atop the tower. There are many different examples across the country, ranging from the modest to the ornate, in towns and cities such as Edinburgh, Culross , Prestonpans, Dunfermline and Falkland .

Further north, you’ll find interesting examples of Scottish unicorns at Stirling Castle , home of the ‘Hunt of the Unicorn’ tapestries, and Dundee , where HMS Unicorn , one of the oldest warships in the world, proudly displays a unicorn as its figurehead.

Unicorns in our collections

There are also lots of unicorns at Trust places, being cared for as part of our historic collections.

In the wine cellar at Brodick Castle you’ll find a silver gilt cup intricately chased with three oval plaques containing a lion, a bear and a unicorn. Another unicorn features as part of the royal coat of arms of the House of Hanover, which takes centre stage on a gilt military gorget (a kind of metal collar) at Castle Fraser .

The Dutch oak cupboard at Crathes Castle

A close-up of the panel containing the depiction of the unicorn

Several pieces of furniture in our collections feature unicorns, including a Dutch oak cupboard in the high hall at Crathes Castle that has a grotesque portrait of a unicorn on one panel. A footman (or metal trivet) in the parlour at the Georgian House has a unicorn as part of the decoration on its top.

A footman at the Georgian House, used for resting hot plates upon at mealtimes.

An alms plate at Culross Palace

Finally, you’ll see some interesting depictions of unicorns among the collections at Fyvie Castle , where a unicorn mid-stride is at the heart of the design on top of a brass stand. Culross Palace boasts an alms plate with a unicorn beneath a tree at its centre, and Falkland Palace has Mary, Queen of Scots’ coat of arms painted in a framed panel, showing two unicorns with saltires.

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The Unicorn, National Animal of Scotland

The unicorn: a mystical beast, representing both purity and innocence, power and ferocity, adopted as the national animal of Scotland in the 1300s. The unicorn is also the natural enemy of the lion, adopted by English royalty some 100 years before…

Jessica Brain

When one thinks about Scotland and all the cultural symbols, legends and rich heritage of the country, what comes to mind? Maybe the thistle, the famous tartan , the iconic bagpipes , or even the Loch Ness monster .

Whilst this is all correct, one mystical figure has been hiding in plain sight across the nation, a mythological creature which has been tied to Scotland as a national symbol for centuries – the unicorn.

The unicorn was and still is an important creature with great symbolism of purity and innocence, power and ferocity. Throughout the ages, records of unicorns have entered the story-telling fables of several cultures. Historic accounts even include some sightings of creatures with one horn, said to resemble such an animal.

Across ancient civilisations ranging from the Persians, the Egyptians, Indians and Greeks, such a creature was described and recorded, often with magical connotations. Even the Bible makes a record of an animal called the re’em which has been later associated with the unicorn.

Whilst the animal did not appear in the vast volumes of Greek mythological tales, it was cited by philosophers and writers who believed in the reality of such a creature, with figures such as the famous Greek geographer Strabo claiming such creatures lived in the Caucasus region, whilst other philosophers were convinced of their existence in India. Whatever the location, the sighting of such an animal was a rare and mystical event. Often associated with the moon and believed to have great healing powers, the unicorn quickly acquired different meanings in different cultures.

In the coming centuries, the medieval depiction of a unicorn became a much beloved symbol in Christian art and even today, the unicorn holds resonance as a fantastical delightful creature which has captured the imagination of generations of people.

Scotland’s deep connections with the unicorn stem from its Celtic culture. Celtic mythology believed unicorns to represent innocence and purity whilst also being associated with chivalry, pride and boldness.

The first recorded use of a unicorn symbol is in the twelfth century when it was adopted by William I on the Scottish Royal Coat of Arms.

By the fifteenth century, during the reign of King James III , coins depicting the unicorn had also appeared and would be in circulation for another century.

Furthermore, the Mercat Cross, erected across Scottish towns, cities and even villages, also incorporated the symbol of the unicorn, with some carving the mystical creature on the pillars. The Mercat Cross was a significant landmark for each location, serving at the nucleus of the community where ceremonies took place. The unicorn therefore represented the nation at the heart of these settlements. One such example to be found today includes the unicorn finial on the cross at the small fishing town at Prestonpans, east of Edinburgh.

Moreover, at this time some significant members of the nobility were given permission to use the unicorn in their Coat of Arms. Such special permission was granted to the Earl of Kinnoull and was seen as an honour to bear such a symbol.

This emblem thus became ubiquitous and would remain so even when the momentous union of the crowns occurred in 1603. King James VI of Scotland became King of England and Ireland on the 24th March and reigned until his death in 1625.

When he inherited the English and Irish thrones, the Royal Arms of England became merged with that of Scotland and the Royal Coat of Arms of Ireland was also added. Thus, the symbol of the majestic English lion was incorporated side by side with the Scottish unicorn.

Still today, different versions of the Royal Arms exist, with the Scottish version maintaining stronger Scottish symbolism with thistles and the unicorn remaining on the left side.

One particularly significant aspect in the heraldry of the unicorn is the gold chain which is used to restrain the unicorn. The chain wraps around the animal, perhaps depicting the enormous power of the mystical beast which is often described as untameable and powerful, or perhaps showing the control of the Scottish kings over such a bold creature.

The use of the unicorn alongside the lion is also very symbolic, not just in its representation of two nations brought together by a union of crowns but also as two animals which have legendary status as natural enemies, as recorded in the traditional nursery rhyme.

The lion and the unicorn Were fighting for the crown The lion beat the unicorn All around the town.

Some gave them white bread, And some gave them brown; Some gave them plum cake and drummed them out of town.

And when he had beat him out, He beat him in again; He beat him three times over, His power to maintain.

This rhyme uses the lion and unicorn as the two protagonists and served as inspiration for others in the literary realm, including the famous writer Lewis Carroll who used the characters in “Through the Looking-Glass”. The unicorn and lion as symbols thus pervaded different forms of cultural expression, being used in art, literature and as representations of nations, cultures and history.

One such example of the cultural significance of the unicorn is demonstrated in the “The Hunt of the Unicorn” legend, less formally known as the Unicorn Tapestries which are housed and displayed both at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art and Stirling Castle.

Whilst the origins of the work are French, the tapestry depicts the unicorn chained, similarly to its representation on the Royal Coat of Arms. The historical artefact is steeped in religious symbolism and demonstrates just how vital the mystical creature was in several cultures, being used to represent something “higher”, perhaps even unattainable.

Today in Scotland, the unicorn has left an imprint on the country, whether it is found at the gatepost of Holyroodhouse or standing proudly in front of St Margaret’s Chapel at Edinburgh Castle . The unicorn is depicted across the country, carved in stone at St Andrews University and used as a figurehead for the HM Frigate Unicorn in Dundee.

The unicorn heraldry is emblematic of the Scottish heritage and a valuable artefact denoting the ancient beliefs and value of this magical creature.

Fun Fact: There is a National Unicorn Day which is celebrated on the 9th April.

Jessica Brain is a freelance writer specialising in history. Based in Kent and a lover of all things historical.

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How the Unicorn Became an Enduring Symbol—and Scotland’s National Animal

The Perth Museum’s inaugural exhibition examines the mythical creature’s long history

Sonja Anderson

Daily Correspondent

This spring, a new Scottish museum will honor the​​ unicorn—the country’s national animal —by tracing its mythical hoofprints through history.

The Perth Museum opens to the public on March 30, and its debut exhibition is simply titled “ Unicorn .” It’s billed as the United Kingdom’s first major show to survey the magical creature’s cultural history from antiquity to the present day.

“The unicorn has been an enduring yet enigmatic symbol throughout the ages; a component of medieval medicine, an emblem of Scottish royalty, a beloved children’s character, and icon of the LGBTQI+ community,” writes the museum in a statement .

The museum’s ode to the unicorn will feature manuscripts, paintings, coins, sculptures, illustrations, tapestries and even shop signs. As  Artnet ’s Min Chen reports, the collection is made up of both historical loans and objects of local significance.

References to unicorns date back thousands of years. The Greek historian Ctesias mentioned them around 400 B.C.E., when he described a horse-like creature with a white body and a pointed horn on its forehead. The Bible also refers to a similar being, called a reʾem , which some versions translate as “unicorn.”

“By the 12th century, the unicorn had made its first appearance in Scotland, placed on the royal coat of arms by William I (also known as William the Lion),” wrote BBC Travel ’s Mike MacEacheran in 2019. “The unicorn became the symbol of purity and power that Scottish kings and nobility identified with in the 15th century.”

In time, it became the country’s national animal . As Malcolm Offord, the U.K.’s government minister for Scotland, says in the statement, the unicorn has come to represent Scotland’s “enchanting history, culture and landscape.”

To showcase the creature’s long history, “Unicorn” will include artistic objects spanning centuries and mediums. Renaissance artist  Luca Longhi ’s famed Lady and the Unicorn painting will highlight the “enduring symbolism of the unicorn through the Middle Ages and beyond,” per the museum. Also on view is a 19th-century  wand topped with a silver unicorn, which was produced around the time of George IV ’s coronation in 1821. It was even used in Charles III ’s coronation last year.

Some of the artifacts in the exhibition are composed of animal horns—just not unicorns’. “People once believed that the tusk of the dolphin-like narwhal, found in Arctic waters, came from unicorns,” according to the museum. The show will include an Elizabethan pendant made of narwhal horn and gold, called the “Danny Jewel,” and an intricately carved 12th-century narwhal tusk.

Alongside historical items, the exhibition will also feature contemporary representations of the unicorn: Toys, films and video games illustrate how the creature is “a familiar but shifting cultural icon,” says J.P. Reid, senior new projects officer at Culture Perth and Kinross , the trust that co-manages the museum. “Unicorn” will end with six newly commissioned works exploring how the unicorn became a symbol in the LGBTQ community.

“With a long, complex and often contradictory history, the unicorn has been a popular subject for contemporary artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers and activists,” adds Reid. “It is a symbol through which ideas like authenticity, belief, gender and nationalism can be explored.”

The Perth Museum is the result of a £27 million (roughly $34 million) transformation of Perth’s former City Hall. It will permanently house the famous “ Stone of Destiny ,” which has been used in coronations for centuries.

“ Unicorn ” will be on view at the Perth Museum in Scotland from March 30 to September 22.

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Sonja Anderson is a writer and reporter based in New York City.

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A glance at Scotland’s national animal

Global Arts, Cultures and Design 5 min read

The unicorn is first mentioned in a long lost book about India about 400 BC and eventually is adopted as Scotland's national animal in the 15th century and can now be seen everywhere.

Elasmotherium Sibericum , a distant relative of the modern rhinoceros, disappeared less than 40,000 years ago.

In 1901, Sir Harry Johnston went to Congo looking for a unicorn and instead found the Okapi.

In the 15th century, most of the European nobility adopted animal emblems such as the unicorn, and for the French king it was the porcupine.

You will find lots of unicorns in Scotland on historical buildings, on gold coins and on the top of some Mercat crosses.

In Scotland, the Unicorn stands on the left of the Royal coat of arms, whilst in England, this is where the Lion is found.

From India to the Bible

Although the origins of the unicorns are subject to debate, the first known mention of a quadruped with cloven hooves and a single horn sprouting from the middle of its forehead could be found in a long-lost book about India, Indika , written in Greek by Ctesias. Ctesias was physician to Artaxerxes II Mnemon, King of Kings of Persia from 404 to his death in 358 BC.

Hearsay would become a common theme in the legend of the Unicorn. Ctesias never set foot in India, nor saw a unicorn, but he’d been shown a horn, a hoof and a gall bladder by merchants, on the testimony of which he made his description.

From then on, the characteristics of the unicorn were fixed. It had a single horn (although, in Ctesias’ description, it is white, red and black) and it was extremely fast, making it near-impossible to capture, and became known on a global scale. Belief in the unicorn spread with cultural exchanges between civilisations, often with Persia at its centre.

The first Great Seal of Mary, Queen of Scots

Red sulphur cast depicting the royal arms, c. 1542

For Europeans, the existence of the unicorn was backed up by mentions in the Bible. Somewhere between the middle of the 3rd and the middle of the 2nd century BC, the Old Testament had been translated in Greek.

Amongst the words upon which the translators stumbled was רְאֵם , re’em , a word we now know designates aurochs, an animal which had disappeared from the Greek-speaking world before the 5th century BC. At loss for a name, they chose μονοκέρως (Monoceros), the Greek for Unicorn. And voilà , the unicorn was now a biblical creature.

A magical animal with magical properties

A few centuries later (somewhere between the 2nd and 4th century AD), another Greek author, known only by the name they gave to their book, Physiologus , a compendium on animals and their Christian symbolism, added a new layer to the myth of the unicorn: they related the single horn of the animal to the mystery of the Trinity. As such, only a virgin could capture it (in the 12th century, Hildegard von Bingen added a precision: it had to be a young virgin, still in her teens, not an old maid).

The Holy Trinity

Detail from an English 15th-century painted alabaster relief.

A cure for poison

Later on, in the 10th century, Persian medical texts start to relate that both the Chinese and the Egyptian Fatimids were using a material called khūtū to make (mostly) knives, as it is able to detect (and cure) poison. Although descriptions of khūtū vary, it was, mostly, of two sorts, one shorter and curved, the other longer and spiralled one: walrus and narwhal tusks, harvested by the Norse in Greenland and traded to Persia by the Bulgars.

Above: Male narwhal cast at the National Museum of Scotland.

The belief that the unicorn was such a pure animal and that its horn protects from poison spread throughout Europe, Northern Africa and China, through the boost in the Greenlandic trade, thanks to the good climatic conditions of the 12th and 13th century.

The Scottish Unicorn

In the 15th century, most of the European nobility are adopting animal emblems, often wild and uncommon ones (the lion for the kings of England, the porcupine for the kings of France, the eagle in Spain, etc.). In Scotland, James I went for the unicorn. We don’t really know why.

Some have said because the unicorn was the mortal enemy of the lion, but this idea doesn’t really develop until the 17th century when the Lion and the Unicorn had to live together after the union of the crowns. It could have been because, in medieval novels, Bucephalus, the horse of Alexander the Great, was often depicted as a unicorn. Some other medieval legends said only kings could hold a unicorn captive, and the choice of the animal could have been urged by the memory of James I’s captivity. More research needs to be done to find the reason behind the Scottish unicorn.

Panel of carved oak, bearing the Royal Arms of James V, from the Franciscan Nunnery Chapel in the Overgate, Dundee, possibly carved in Scotland, c. 1540 - 1550.

James IV gold unicorn, Edinburgh, 1488 - 1505.

Brown sulphur cast of the Four Signet Seal of Mary, Queen of Scots, depicting the royal arms, c. 1567.

Renaissance gold pendant engraved with the arms of Mary, Queen of Scots, set within a crystal in colours, probably made by a French goldsmith, 1548 - 1558.

Ceiling boss of carved wood, unicorn carrying flag, with traces of original paintwork, from Linlithgow Palace, Scotland, c. 1617.

Wooden panel with the royal arms of Scotland, from Linlithgow Palace, 1540 - 1570.

Whatever the reason for its adoption, the unicorn then starts to become a frequent sight in Scotland. It bore the arms of Scotland on the seals, and James III chose it as the emblem adorning the gold coins he, his son James IV and his grandson James V issued. More widely, it could be seen on monuments, like the panels from the Franciscan Nunnery Chapel in the Overgate, Dundee. Today, one can still find them on top of Mercat crosses in Edinburgh or Prestonpans, on the façade of Craigmillar castle and in many other places.

Royal Unicorn, Edinburgh Mercat Cross

Kim Traynor [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

After the union of the crowns under James VI, the unicorn started to share its space with the Lion, giving their name to many a  public-house,   and also serving as substitutes in art and literature to describe the troubled union between England and Scotland. In fact, in Lewis Carroll’s fantasy story , Through the Looking Glass , the White King is quoted as saying “They’re at it again”.

Royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. By Sodacan - Own work , CC BY-SA 3.0 , Link

Scottish version of the Royal coat of arms. By Sodacan - Own work , CC BY-SA 3.0 , Link

Spot the difference

If you observe carefully, you’ll notice that, in Scotland, the Unicorn stands on the left of the royal coat of arms, whilst in England, this is where the Lion is found: each animal is at the place of honour when in his own country.

The quest for the unicorn

For centuries, people have tried to find unicorns, but they remained elusive. All the stories about finding unicorns do have one thing in common: no matter how far the adventurer goes, they live three days march away.

Except for two of them: Marco Polo, traveller extraordinaire, who, after seeing rhinos in India, went to Sumatra, where he actually saw unicorns, of which he gives a very precise description, not hiding his disappointment (“it’s a very ugly beast”). In fact, what he saw were Javan Rhinoceroses, a species that has since then been hunted to near extinction.

Above: Okapi painting by Sir Harry Johnston (1858-1927), lithograph by P. J. Smit, via Wikimedia Commons .

Centuries later, in 1900, the British governor of Uganda, Sir Harry Johnston, rescued some pygmies from Congo abducted by a German merchant. He took advantage of his trip to bring them back home to assert the truth of Henry Morton’s Stanley accounts of the Atti, an ass assimilated to an African Unicorn. Although what he found was not a unicorn, he “discovered” (from a European point of view, that is), another strange animal, the Okapi.

Elasmotherium Sibericum

A distant relative of the modern rhinoceros, which roamed the earth 40,000 years ago.

Scientific evidence

More surprisingly is the fact that unicorns did actually roam the earth not that long ago. A recent study led by Professor Adrian Lister, Merit Researcher at the Natural History Museum, has shown that Elasmotherium Sibericum  was a distant relative of the modern rhinoceros. It had a horn which sprouted from the middle of its forehead and had survived far longer than initially thought, disappearing only 40,000 years ago.

Further reading

• Dectot, Xavier. When ivory came from the seas. On some traits of the trade of raw and carved sea-mammal ivories in the Middle Ages . Vol. 53, no. 14, 2018, pp. 159–74.
• Kosintsev, P., et al. ‘Evolution and Extinction of the Giant Rhinoceros Elasmotherium Sibiricum Sheds Light on Late Quaternary Megafaunal Extinctions’. Nature Ecology and Evolution , 2018. 
• Laufer, Berthord. ‘Arabic and Chinese Trade in Walrus Ivory’. T’oung Pao , vol. 14, no. 3, 1913, pp. 315–370.
• Lavers, Chris. Natural History of Unicorns . Granta Books and Harper Collins, 2009.
• Shepard, Odell. The Lore of the Unicorn . Houghton Mifflin company, 1930.

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What is Scotland's National Animal? The Unicorn

The fabled Unicorn is Scotland's national animal!

Yes, you read that correctly; a fictional animal represents Scotland. The unicorn is a beautiful symbol for Scotland and is steeped in history, not only in Scotland but since the very earliest history in south Asia over 6000 years ago.

So how did a mythical beast become Scotland's national animal? Let's find out!

What is a unicorn?

A unicorn is a fictional animal usually depicted as a beautiful white horse with a single spiralled horn on its forehead between its ears. Seen as a symbol of purity and grace, a unicorn was described as a wild forest creature that could only be captured or "humbled" by a virgin maiden.

The qualities of a unicorn:

Masculinity

Nurturing powers

The power to heal

Intelligence

Did unicorns have magical powers?

A unicorn's horn (known as alicorn) was said to have magical properties, including the power to heal the sick and sanitise poisoned water.  Narwhal tusks  were often sold as unicorn horns in medieval times and were considered very precious. Walrus ivory and rhino horn were also passed off as alicorn, but only narwhal tusk had the unique spiral formation.

Mary Queen of Scots is said to have requested a unicorn horn to test her food for poison whilst being held captive by Elizabeth I.

Could the Unicorn have been a real animal?

There is no scientific evidence that unicorns were ever real, but it's interesting that so many civilisations have written about them in many different countries over thousands of years.

Even in modern times, the unicorn frequently appears in fantasy fiction, for example, in the Harry Potter book and film franchises. The highly popular "My Little Pony" kids TV series is also heavily influenced by unicorn legends.

If you think about all of the diverse animals on planet earth, a white horse with a horn doesn't seem that fanciful for a mythical creature.

Why is the unicorn Scotland's national animal?

William I selected the unicorn in the 1100s for use in the Scottish royal coat of arms. Seen as a symbol of unyielding strength and nobility, the unicorn was the ideal choice for royalty and for the proud Scots to defy all conquerors.

Many countries have chosen animals from their natural environment, for example, the Kangeroo in Australia, the Bull in Spain and the brown bear in Russia; it's interesting Scotland is different. Perhaps if royalty had not selected the unicorn, Scotland's Red Stag might have been chosen instead.

I personally think that the national animal should be the  Highland cow ; it has become synonymous with Scotland and is loved by tourists and locals!

Celtic Mythology & Scottish Kings

Unicorns played a strong role in Celtic folklore with virtues such as courage, nobility and strength. This is one of the primary reasons William I chose the unicorn for his heraldry.

Why is the unicorn chained?

Many wrongly believe that the chain was added to Scottish heraldry upon the unification of Scotland and England... i.e. a chain to signify that Scotland would be forever under England's subjugation within the union, but a gold chain has featured in Scotland's royal coat of arms from its inception.

The gold chain is shown wrapped around the unicorn's neck and coiled around its body due to the fact it was the strongest and wildest of all animals and completely untamable. Without the chain, the unicorn would escape forever. The chain also symbolises the power of the Scottish Kings - only they had the strength to tame the wild and powerful unicorn - the strongest of all animals.

Mary Queen of Scots heraldry includes two chained unicorns, long before the union of the kingdoms.

Since the 1707 union of Scotland and England, the royal arms of the United Kindom are shown supported by the English lion and the Scottish unicorn.

When did Scotland adopt the unicorn?

William I first used it on the royal coat of arms in the 1100s.

Where can you see unicorns in Scotland?

There are many examples of our country's national animal to be found in the numerous historic places throughout Scotland, especially in  Edinburgh  and the central belt. Why not keep a look out for them when you visit Scotland's capital?

Unicorns in Edinburgh

Unicorns can be found at these locations around Edinburgh:

Edinburgh Castle

Unicorns are displayed above the fireplace in the Royal Apartments and at the Scottish National War Memorial outside St Margaret's Chapel.

The Mercat Cross

In Parliament Square, just next to St Giles Cathedral, you can find the Mercat Cross, which acted as the hub of Edinburgh's marketplace within the heart of the Old Town. The monument displays fine examples of heraldry, but atop the central post sits a fine Royal unicorn holding a Scottish saltire flag .

There are unicorns on other Mercat Crosses around Scotland, including at Dunfermline, Culross, Prestonpans and Falkland.

St Giles Cathedral

Within the Cathedral itself, you can find Victorian unicorn woodcarvings; one unique carving has a fishlike tail, perhaps a nod to Scotland's  mythological kelpies . Read more about Scotland's  mythical beasts  here.

Craigmillar Castle

Once a safe haven for Mary Queen of Scots in 1566, Sir Simon Preston's coat of arms can be found around Craigmillar Castle, featuring three unicorns.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

There are numerous unicorns to be found in and around the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The entrance gate to the palace has a unicorn on its right side pillar and on a heraldic shield mounted on the wall.

The main entrance has an exquisite stone sculpture of two unicorns directly above it, with  Scotland's motto  below it, "Nemo me impune lacessit". Another can be found on the wooden doors of the Queen's Gallery.

Riddle's Court

Riddle's Court is an old merchant's house dating from the 1590s. A favourite dining place for King James VI, it contains an impressive unicorn fresco.

Mason's Memorial Pillars

At the west end of The Meadows, a large park in Edinburgh, Mason's Pillars can be found. Erected in 1886 for the "Edinburgh International Exhibition", each pillar is 26 st tall and proudly holds a 7 ft unicorn bearing metal banners.

The pillars mark the entrance of the exhibition location for this fair-like showcase of Art, Science and Industry; it must have been quite an event.

The North Gate, Inverleith Park

This large red sandstone entrance gate lies on the north side of Inverleith Park. The arch shows an inscription in Latin which reads "Nisi Dominus Frustra" or "Without the Lord, all is in vain". The unicorn can be seen on the very top of the arch with a heraldic shield.

Stirling Castle

When visiting Stirling Castle in central Scotland, you can view a collection of beautiful unicorn tapestries. "Hunt of the Unicorn" is included in the collection, which cost £2 million and took 13 years to complete.

Unicorns can also be found as a statue in the Great Hall and on the coat of arms above the hearth of the King's Bed Chamber.

Linlithgow Palace

Built in 1538 by James V, the ornate fountain in the courtyard of Linlithgow Palace showcases unicorns and, interestingly, mermaids too!

St Andrew's University

Two finely carved unicorns can be seen upon pillars at the entrance to St Andrew's University, the oldest seat of learning in Scotland, founded in 1413.

A short history of Unicorns

Here is a short history of unicorns dating back thousands of years!

Indus Valley Civilisation

Unicorn-like creatures with a single horn protruding from their heads were first seen in the Indus Valley Civilisation around 2000 BC. Carved into soapstone seals, these animals looked more like cows and the singular horn curved upwards at the tip.

The Ancient Greeks

Greek writers believed that unicorns were real and could be found in India. Given the distance, India was believed a fantastical place with strange creations never seen in Greece.

Greek writer Ctesias wrote in his book "Indika" describing unicorns as being like a wild donkey with a horn one cubit and a half long on its head. Living in Persia at the time, it's thought Ctesias saw examples of unicorns on relief sculptures in what would be modern-day Iran.

Medieval times

Unicorns continued to be legendary animals throughout the middle ages, with Marco Polo even confirming their existence but saying they looked nothing like the legends - he was describing rhinoceros.

It was around this time that the unicorn took on new significance within Christianity as a symbol of Jesus Christ.

The Unicorn as an LGBT+ symbol

In modern times, the Unicorn has been adopted as a symbol of the LGBT+ community, mainly due to unicorns being associated with rainbows which also resemble the pride flag. A marketing campaign in 2018 solidified the unicorn's place within the LGBT+ community, with rainbow-coloured unicorn horns being worn at pride parades around the world.

The "rare" unicorn also works well as a mascot, as heterosexuals vastly outnumber LGBT+ people, and being of different sexuality is seen as being as rare as a unicorn.

HMS Unicorn

When visiting Dundee, why not check out  HMS Unicorn , one of the six oldest ships in the world? Launched in 1824 from Chatham Royal Dockyard, the Unicorn is a 46-gun frigate which eventually arrived in Dundee in 1873 for use as a Royal Naval Reserves training ship.

It costs £7.25 for adults and £3.60 for children; you can choose to pay a little more if you would like to make a small donation. There is a great deal to learn about this ship's 200-year history.

National Unicorn Day

The 9th of April is National Unicorn Day, but this isn't a big thing in Scotland; it's not like we worship them or anything! If you're a massive fan of unicorns, then enjoy your day next April!

I enjoyed this song as a child - The Unicorn Song by the Irish Rovers - I hope you will too.

So there we have it, everything to do with Scotland's national animal. Although it's not a real animal, the Scottish unicorn is still an enduring symbol for Scotland, rich with history and hidden in plain sight.

All information was correct at the time of writing, please check things like entry costs and opening times before you arrive.

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Star Objects

From Pliny to Pride, the Unicorn has been an enduring yet enigmatic symbol throughout the ages; a component of medieval medicine, an emblem of Scottish royalty, a beloved children’s character, and an icon of the LGBTQI+ community, just to name a few.

Unicorn the debut exhibition, 30 march – 22 september 2024.

Be enchanted by Unicorn , the debut exhibition at the new Perth Museum exploring the story of Scotland’s national animal. Explore the rich significance of this beloved mythical creature from antiquity to the present day, through art, science, social movements, and popular culture. Across four themed galleries, discover the unicorn’s enduring presence throughout history and its role as a symbol of Scotland’s changing heritage and identity, through iconic loans from around the world, interactive displays, and seven newly-commissioned artworks exploring the unicorn as a modern symbol of the LGBTQI+ community.

Price & Tickets

£10 / £8 (concessions). Tickets are available to book now online via Perthshire Box Office.

Ticket cost excludes 10% booking fee.

Children under 10 are free of charge with a fee-paying adult

Become a Supporter from only £4 a month and get free, unlimited entry to paid exhibitions at Perth Museum and Perth Art Gallery.

Dates & Times

30 March – 22 September 2024 10am — 5pm, Mon — Sun (until 7p on Thurs)

Star loans include the magical ‘Danny Jewel’, an English Elizabethan pendant jewel of narwhal horn and enamelled gold, usually on display at the Victoria and Albert Museum (V&A) in London; a 700-year-old, 2.5 metre-long narwhal tusk from the Wellcome Collection; and the renowned Lady and the Unicorn oil painting by the late-Renaissance Italian artist, Luca Longhi (1507-1580), on display in the UK for the first time.

Pendant, 'The Danny Jewel', enamelled gold and a section of Narwhal's tusk, England, ca.1550. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

A regal silver unicorn features atop the 19th century ceremonial rod or wand, part of the regalia of the Usher of the White Rod reproduced by Permission of the Trustees and Factor and Commissioner of the Walker Trust. Photography by National Museums Scotland

Narwhal tusk, carved, England, ca. 1125-1150 5 © V&A

The Unicorns by John Duncan. Dundee Art Galleries and Museums

The Lady and the Unicorn by Luca Longhi (1507-1580)

From ornaments and images to memorabilia and toys, the display will highlight the continuous power of this symbol in contemporary culture — with various activities and events for children, young people, and adults.

Alongside spectacular and historical loans from prestigious UK and international collections, there will also be objects and stories of personal significance from the local community. From ornaments and images to memorabilia and toys, the display will highlight the continuous power of this symbol in contemporary culture. There is still time to submit an object for this project at Perth Art Gallery or one of the participating libraries across Perth & Kinross.

The exhibition will also feature various activities and events for children, young people, and adults, generously supported by the Northwood Trust, which we will share with you soon.

Tickets are available to book now online via Perthshire Box Office

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The History Hit Miscellany of Facts, Figures and Fascinating Finds

The Unicorn: Scotland’s Unusual National Animal

Lucy Davidson

13 sep 2022, @lucejuiceluce.

With its white horse-like body and long spiralling horn, the unicorn has long been a creature that represents purity, innocence and power. Throughout the ages, tales of the unicorn have been cultural legend across several civilisations. In particular, Scotland, a nation with a long and rich tradition of myth, folklore and symbolism, has a particularly strong tie to the horned creature, since it is the country’s national animal.

Though a mythical creature, reported unicorn sightings have been recorded throughout history, and the creature is said to have magical powers such as the ability to purify poisoned water with its horn.

So where did stories of the unicorn originate, and how did it come to be Scotland’s national animal?

The legend of the unicorn has existed since antiquity

Ancient civilisations such as the Persians , Egyptians , Indians, Greeks , Babylonians and Indus describe and mention a creature resembling a unicorn, that is often referred to as having magical abilities. Even the Bible references an animal called the re’em, which was later associated with the unicorn.

While the animal didn’t appear in most Greek mythology , it was described by philosophers and writers who truly believed in the animal’s existence, with famous figures such as Strabo claiming that the creature lived in the Caucasus region, while other philosophers believed that it lived in India.

Scotland’s association with the unicorn stems from its ancient Celtic culture , since Celtic mythology associated unicorns with innocence and purity as well as pride, boldness and chivalry. In many cultures, the unicorn was thought to be associated with the moon, and was said to have great healing powers.

The unicorn is often used to symbolise Jesus

Since its first mention in antiquity, medieval depictions of the unicorn became a beloved symbol in Christian art . For instance, in Domenichino’s  The Virgin and the Unicorn  (1605), the unicorn is seen asleep in the lap of the Virgin Mary, and represents the incarnation of Christ, a symbol of purity and grace that could only be captured by a virgin.

Similarly, acclaimed 4th-century theologian Bishop Ambrose was one of several early writers to also equate the unicorn with Christ, writing ‘Who is this unicorn but God’s only son?… The only word of God who has been close to God from the beginning.’

The unicorn was first used on a coat of arms in the 12th century

The first recorded use of a unicorn symbol was in the 12th century, when it was adopted by William I on the Scottish Royal Coat of Arms. By the reign of King James III in the 15th century, the unicorn was used on coins which went on to be in circulation for a further century.

The symbol of the unicorn then spread across Scotland, featuring in carvings and sculptures that adorned Mercat Crosses (a marker of a market square) in towns, cities and villages. Since Mercat Crosses were often at the heart of a community, the unicorn represented the nation at the heart of each settlement.

Particular members of the nobility would occasionally be granted permission to use the unicorn in their coat of arms; for instance, the Earl of Kinnoull was honoured with being granted the use of the creature’s image.

His Majesty’s Frigate ‘Unicorn’ (1824) in Dundee. Close-up view of the unicorn sculpture at the head of the ship

Image Credit: Yottanesia, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

The Lion and Unicorn combined crest dates to 1603

The symbol of the unicorn became ubiquitous in Scotland, and remained so even when the union of the crowns occurred in 1603, when King James VI of Scotland also became King of England and Ireland until his death in 1625. Upon the union of the nations, the English national animal, the lion, was incorporated side by side with the unicorn. The use of the unicorn alongside the lion contains further symbolism because the creatures have legendary status as natural enemies.

Interestingly, the heraldry of the unicorn features a gold chain which is used to restrain the unicorn. While it isn’t entirely clear why or when the chain first appeared, it is thought that it represents the crown being able to tame the powerful beast, which in turn emphasises the extraordinary power of the Scottish royals.

Unicorns are depicted in many Scottish artworks and artefacts

A number of significant Scottish artworks and artefacts attest to the creature’s cultural significance in Scotland. For instance, tapestries housed in Stirling Castle and the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art known as The Hunt of the Unicorn (or, more informally, The Unicorn Tapestries ) depict a hunting party chasing and eventually chaining the unicorn, further demonstrating its status as a significant, desirable and near-untameable creature with otherworldly power.

Similarly, the gatepost at famed royal residence Holyroodhouse Palace features a unicorn, while HM Frigate Unicorn  in Dundee boasts a unicorn figurehead. Today, National Unicorn Day is held on 9 April.

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Why The Unicorn Is Scotland's National Animal

"The lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown," goes the old nursery rhyme (posted at the Rhymes website ). "The lion beat the unicorn all around the town."

You may not have heard that little rhyme in childhood, or remember the characters of the Lion and the Unicorn in Lewis Carroll 's "Through the Looking-Glass." But if you've ever encountered the national heraldry of the United Kingdom, and particularly of Scotland, you'll have noticed a lion and a unicorn turning up everywhere. As the U.K.'s National Trust explains, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom features as supporters (the animals depicted "holding up" the central shield) a lion and a unicorn, and has since 1603, when James Stuart was crowned James I of England.

The lion represents England. Long a symbol of power and pride — the lion is the king of the jungle, or the king of the beasts, as any child knows — the National Trust explains that the lion made its first appearance in English royal heraldry during the reign of the fabled Richard I. Richard seems to have borrowed it from his grandfather, Geoffrey Plantagenet. The lion in British heraldry is a Barbary lion from North Africa — apparently, the Tower of London housed a few of these now-extinct beasts for years.

'Two households, both alike in dignity'

If England is represented by the lion, the unicorn represents her northern neighbor, Scotland. Visit Scotland reports that the unicorn first appeared in Scottish national heraldry in the 12th century, when William of Northumberland became William I, King of Scots. (Ironically, William was born on the English side of the Anglo-Scottish border, and was known as "William the Lion," according to Britannica .) Later, the unicorn device became so closely identified with the Scottish kings that Scottish coins featured a unicorn on one side.

When Elizabeth I died without an heir, her nearest Protestant kin was James Stuart, then James VI of Scotland. Parliament invited him to London to reign as James I of England. He accepted the new role, but brought his unicorn imagery with him, decreeing that England's royal coat of arms (seen above) should now feature the English lion on the left and the Scottish unicorn on the right, to show the equality of the two nations under his reign.

Why, exactly, did he choose the unicorn? True, other nations had adopted animal imagery — a lion for England, an eagle for Spain, and so on. As the National Museums Scotland succinctly explains, "In Scotland, James I went for the unicorn. We don't really know why."

What is it about unicorns?

Unicorns have a complex symbolism. Recent generations have gelded the unicorn, and made it an innocent as a teddy bear. But, as Visit Scotland rightly affirms, the unicorn was held to be "the strongest of all animals," who fought off hunters with the great weapon spiking out of its forehead, and susceptible only to the charms of a young woman. In the arms of a virgin, the story went, the unicorn became as docile as a lamb.

The art historian Kenneth Clark referred to the lion and the unicorn, specifically the ones shown in the Gothic tapestry above, as "emblems of lust and ferocity" in his famous BBC series "Civilisation." (The episode in question is available on YouTube ). You'll notice, too, in the coat of arms shown earlier, that the way both the lion and the unicorn are depicted reinforces Lord Clark's interpretation. The unicorn also wears a chain, as Visit Scotland notes, like a savage beast that needs restraining.

The first mention of unicorns

The unicorn fascinated the world of medieval and Tudor England. As the National Trust mentions, Queen Elizabeth I owned a cup that was believed to be made of a unicorn's horn. (Was is it really narwhal tusk?)

The legend of this fascinating, violent animal is much older than that, though. Around 400 B.C., the Greek historian Ctesias wrote of a strange animal in India like a horse, but with a single horn; this may have been a rhinoceros described at second hand (via Britannica ), or perhaps an antelope seen in profile. Other classical writers, like Pliny the Elder, described the unicorn as ferocious, but easily tamed by a virgin. Inspired by this, unicorns took on a Christian symbolism in the Middle Ages, replete with Virgins and spears. Maybe this duality, so characteristic of the Scots, is what made the unicorn emblematic of Scotland.

And maybe it was prophetic. Scotland's first female first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, wants independence from the U.K. History may prove her, and her Scottish National Party, as untameable as a unicorn.

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HMS Unicorn

At almost 200 years old, HMS Unicorn is one of the world's most remarkable historic ships and the last surviving wooden warship left in Scotland.

Built for the Royal Navy and launched in 1824, HMS Unicorn is now preserved as a historic ship and visitor attraction in Dundee.

As one of the world's six oldest ships and with four atmospheric decks to explore, HMS Unicorn is great fun for all the family and suitable for all ages.

So come aboard and step back in time to learn about life at sea, the history of the Navy in Dundee and warships in ‘the Golden Age of Sail’.

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First major UK exhibition on the unicorn, Scotland’s ancient symbol, to open at Perth Museum this spring

Latest posts.

Detail of narwhal tusk, carved, England, ca. 1125-1150. © Victoria and Albert Museum, London

The oil painting  Lady and the Unicorn  by the late-Renaissance Italian artist, Luca Longhi (1507-80), will be shown in the UK for the first time, on loan from the Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant’Angelo, highlighting the enduring symbolism of the unicorn through the Middle Ages and beyond.

A regal silver unicorn features atop the 19th century ceremonial rod or wand, part of the regalia of the Usher of the White Rod. Made around the time of King George IV’s coronation and visit to Scotland, this rod also featured as part of the Coronation of King Charles III last year. 

Detail of a gilded and enamelled unicorn holding a shield with the lion rampant, atop a silver baton, part of the regalia of the Usher of the White Rod. © By Permission of the Trustees and Factor and Commissioner of the Walker Trust. Photography by National Museums Scotland

Perth Museum is free to enter. Tickets for  Unicorn  cost £10/£8 and are available to book now online; members of the Culture Perth and Kinross Supporters Scheme receive free entry. Find out more about the Perth Museum website .

Why you should visit Scotland

Monumental mountains and misty glens. Castles with hidden stories. A dram of whisky straight from the source.

Best time to visit Scotland

Spring: Many attractions are open without summer crowds. Golf courses open in April; the season officially starts in May.

Summer: This is the ideal time for hiking and biking, although accommodations along the most popular routes—such as the West Highland Way —fill up well in advance. There are plenty of events, including the Edinburgh Festival and Highland Games .

Autumn: Changing leaves create arresting scenes in forests—it’s a great time to visit Perthshire , known as “Big Tree Country.” The Edradour and Glenturret distilleries are well placed for combining a walk with a whisky sampling.

Winter: The Edinburgh Christmas Market kicks off in November, and Scots prepare to celebrate Hogmanay (New Year’s Eve). On January 25, pubs honor Burns Night —the birthday of national poet Robert Burns —with a dinner of haggis , neeps (turnips), and tatties (mashed potatoes).

Lay of the land

Cities: Well-heeled capital Edinburgh hosts the world’s largest performing arts festival . The medieval Old Town looms over Princes Street gardens and the New Town with art galleries and chic bars. Glasgow is boisterous and friendly, with a lively music scene. Craggy Stirling , topped by the eponymous castle, was the site of several historic battles. On the east coast, Dundee and Aberdeen pack museums and maritime history into their walkable downtowns.

Highlands: Hikers flock to the heather-bound moors and mountains of Cairngorms National Park ,   overlapping the Speyside whisky-producing region. The landscapes surrounding Glenfinnan and Glencoe have featured in films.

Hebrides: The Isle of Skye is famed for its otherworldly topography. Flawless beaches await on Lewis and Harris . On Mull ,   stop by the colorful coastal town of Tobermory or scale the rugged slopes of Ben More.

Northern Isles: Neolithic sites, including Skara Brae, are scattered across the Orkney Islands . View Viking sites and the eponymous ponies on the Shetland Islands .

Southern Uplands: Stately homes and castles grace the Scottish Borders. Dumfries & Galloway is home to the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere and the majestic Sweetheart Abbey .

North East:   Seek out royal connections at Glamis Castle in Angus, or Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire. Photogenic Perthshire is home to the prestigious Gleneagles hotel and golf course.

Central Belt: Relive the greatest victories of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace at Bannockburn and the National Wallace Monument , respectively. The John Muir Way spans 134 miles of lochs and woodlands.

Getting around Scotland

By plane: Daily flights operate from Glasgow to several Hebridean islands. Flights to   Sumburgh (Shetland) and Kirkwall   (Orkney) depart from Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen.

By bus: National Express and Citylink operate buses between the major cities. Buses are limited in the Highlands and Islands.

By train: ScotRail runs most services in Scotland, mostly along the Central Belt. This reduces to a few main lines in the Highlands.

By car:   Driving in Scotland is on the left and requires an international driving permit. Road types include motorways (M), A-roads (A), and B-roads (B). Scotland’s main roads include the A1 from London to Edinburgh; the A74(M)/M74 from Gretna to Glasgow; and the M9/A9, stretching from just outside Edinburgh to Thurso on the north coast.

By boat: Caledonian MacBrayne (CalMac) ferries sail to 21 Hebridean islands; Northlink runs car ferries to Orkney and Shetland. Book well in advance.

Know before you go

Scottish languages: Scots Gaelic (pronounced “gaa-lik”) is still spoken by around 60,000 people, mostly in the Highlands and Islands. English, however, has been the main language spoken in Scotland since the 18th century. Though many believe it to be a dialect, Scots (descended from Northern English) is a distinct language , spoken by 1.5 million people.

Hours: Even in cities, restaurants can keep restrictive hours, with some kitchens closing as early as 8 p.m. On Sundays, businesses often open at 1 p.m. and may close by 4 p.m.

LGBTQ+:   Scotland legalized same-sex marriage in 2014. Glasgow hosts Scotland’s largest Pride festival, as well as the Scottish Queer International Film Festival (SQIFF) in autumn.

How to visit Scotland sustainably

Outdoors: Read the Scottish Outdoor Access Code before setting out. Avoid deer stalking areas between July and February. Refrain from stone stacking, which can cause erosion .

Dining:   Farm-to-table—or, indeed, sea-to-table—is easy to find in this nation of farmers and fishermen. It’s increasingly common for restaurants to display ingredient provenance on their menu.

Shopping:   Seek out independent farm shops and sustainable distilleries . Support Scottish artisans at rural markets and festivals, such as the Pittenweem Arts Festival . Check labels to be sure the products you’re eyeing were made in country.

Accommodation and attractions: The Green Tourism certification scheme, which now operates in 20 countries, was founded in Scotland. It assesses 70 criteria, such as ethical production, carbon, and waste. Certified members—including accommodations, attractions, and tours—display a Green Tourism plaque.

What to read

Scotland: A Concise History , by Fitzroy Maclean (Fifth Edition). The former soldier and politician brings bloody battles and national heroes to life. In the fifth edition, journalist Magnus Linklater adds chapters on Brexit and the 2014 independence referendum.

Rival Queens , by Kate Williams. The historian charts the alliance between Mary Queen of Scots and Elizabeth I of England, which ends in devastating betrayal.

Rob Roy , by Sir Walter Scott. The celebrated writer’s classic work takes place during the Jacobite Rebellion of 1715.

Raw Spirit: In Search of the Perfect Dram , by Iain Banks. A humorous travelogue of Scotland’s distilleries, from the iconic to the obscure.

( For more tips on what to do in Scotland, see our Explorer’s Guide .)

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Copyright © 1996-2015 National Geographic Society Copyright © 2015-2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC. All rights reserved

Visit a Place

On until Sunday 7 April 2024

Stirling Castle

This event has finished

Please note parking on the Stirling Castle esplanade is currently restricted, please allow plenty of time to park, and use alternative parking and public transport options wherever possible. 

Photography

During the course of public events we may take photographs for use on our website or other promotional material. This would be done under the lawful basis of legitimate interests. We will not take photographs of individual children without your consent. If you have any questions about this or do not wish to be photographed please speak to the photographer, or see our privacy notice for more information about how we manage your data and your rights. You can also contact our Data Protection officer at [email protected]