When thinking of Scotland, an inexperienced traveler’s mind might immediately go to the Loch Ness monster, kilts, and the bagpipes, and while it is not by any means wrong, it would be a shame to restrict this beautiful country to these things only. Scotland is a country with hundreds of years of history, rich culture, and enchanting natural beauties that are waiting to be discovered, and if you haven’t added it to your travel bucket list, here are some interesting facts that will make you want to go there ASAP!
Scotland proudly boasts being the birthplace of golf and hosts the world’s oldest golf championship, ‘The Open’. Dating back to 1860, this prestigious tournament is held annually on iconic Scottish links courses such as St Andrews, Muirfield, and Royal Troon, where golf enthusiasts from around the globe go to test their skills on these historic fairways.
Despite Ireland having the most redheads per capita in the world, Edinburgh is actually known as the red capital of the world, with circa 6% of Scotland’s population being red-haired. And if you think that 6% is not a lot, you’ll be surprised to find out that it is actually more than 300 thousand people!
The official animal of Scotland is the unicorn, and while the precise answer to why this happened is steeped in myths and legends, the association between the country and this animal dates back to the 12th century when it was first used as a symbol of power and purity on the Scottish royal coat of arms. These days, the unicorn is officially featured on the Royal Coat of Arms, seals and emblems of governmental institutions, and many other various capacities.
Scotland’s vibrant tartan traditions are woven into the fabric of its cultural identity and worn like a badge of honor, with each clan owning its distinctive pattern and colors. Tartan is thick and soft, yet cozy and comforting at the same time, which is why it is so loved both in Scotland and internationally. The intricate design of this fabric symbolizes heritage, allegiance, and pride, and today they make one of the most beloved Scottish souvenirs for yourself or your friends and family. Check out https://www.gaelsong.com/prod_detail_list/scottish-gifts to find a wide range of Scottish gifts that can become perfect tokens from your trip to The Land of The Brave.
Scotland is home to what is believed to be the oldest tree in Europe. The ancient yew tree known as the Fortingall Yew is located in the Highlands of Scotland, near the village of Fortingall in Perthshire. Estimated to be between 2,000 and 5,000 years old, this remarkable tree is considered one of the oldest living organisms in Europe.
Scotland is a country with extremely unpredictable weather, and the sudden rains resulted in one of the greatest inventions that you definitely have at home – the raincoat. The credit for its invention goes to Charles Macintosh, a Scottish chemist and inventor that developed a waterproof fabric in the early 19th century by bonding rubber to cotton.
Renowned worldwide for its exceptional whisky, Scotland is home to over 120 distilleries scattered across the whole country, with each region producing unique whiskies with distinct characteristics shaped by centuries-old traditions.
