Is the Unicorn actually the national symbol of Scotland?

Yes, the unicorn is the national animal of Scotland. This mythological animal was adopted by early Celts as unicorns are believed to be impossible to conquer and are fiercely independent – qualities that represent the Scottish people.

The first official use of the unicorn was in the royal coat of arms of Scotland from the mid-1500s when two unicorns were positioned either side of a lion. After the union of the crowns in 1603, one of the unicorns was replaced with a lion to represent the joining of England and Scotland.

Unicorns are all over Scotland, you just have to know where to look. At the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Edinburgh Castle, Craigmillar Castle and St Giles' Cathedral, all in Edinburgh, unicorns are ubiquitous. Move west to Linlithgow Palace and you’ll find them depicted in the inner courtyard of the palace where Mary Queen of Scots was born.

Head north-west to Stirling Castle and the mythical beast is the focus of the intricate Stirling Tapestries, seven hand-woven recreations of ‘The Unicorn Tapestries’.

And from Aberdeenshire’s Delgatie Castle to Dundee’s HMS Unicorn (Scotland’s oldest surviving wooden warship), via the mercat (or market) crosses of Prestonpans and Glasgow, there are a multitude of unicorns.

Scotland even celebrates National Unicorn day every year on 9 April so mark your calendar in case your trip overlaps that date!