The land of castles, flying logs and seriously clogged arteries
What do you picture when you think of Scotland?
Yes, there are the Highlands, kilts are popular among those who love traditional dress, the climate is very humid, and blah blah blah.
But pretty much everyone already knows those things. They’re mainstream and, to be honest, way too stereotypical. And, as you may already know if you’re even a little familiar with us, we’re not into mainstream stuff at all.
If you want to get to know Scotland better, we’ve put together some other fun facts about this country that are definitely more interesting than the usual stories people tell.
Ready?
Here they come!
Read also: When to go to Uzbekistan? A guide to the local climate
The unicorn is Scotland’s national animal
While other countries show off with extremely basic beasts like lions, fierce bears and angry eagles, Scotland decided to stand out from the crowd and go for something much more original: the unicorn!
This mythical creature first appeared in Scottish heraldry in the 12th century and has never left the spotlight since.
But why did they choose it?
Well, according to local legends, the unicorn is a pure, noble and courageous animal. And, above all, it is the sworn enemy of the lion.
And who chose a lion as its symbol—actually, three lions? That’s right: England.
In short, the Scots have never exactly been fond of the English, and it’s easy to see why. After all, England’s national sport has long seemed to be bothering other countries and planting its flag on them. And since the Scots live right next door, they’ve had to put up with it more than most.
So yes, the unicorn is a symbol of purity and courage, but also of independence from the English crown—an aspiration still very much alive in the hearts of many Scots.
Scotland is one of the countries with the most castles in the world
Yes, I know, this may sound like we’re leaning hard into stereotypes, but Scotland really can boast a huge number of castles—there’s practically one around every corner.
Looking for one?
Take a short walk in Scotland and... bingo, there it is!
To put it in perspective, there are more than 300 across the whole country, and Scotland isn’t even that big.
Now, it’s not that the Scots had some kind of obsession with building towers and fortresses. But when you think about it, with all those rival clans constantly at war with one another, a solid castle with thick walls was more necessary than a good umbrella in London.
And let’s be honest: when the English are living just a stone’s throw from your home, wouldn’t you build one seriously impressive fortress too?
The Scots deep-fry pretty much anything
You know the saying, “Everything tastes good fried”?
Well, in Scotland they may have taken it a little too literally, because they deep-fry practically anything, following the motto: “If it’s edible, it can be fried. And if it isn’t, we might still give it a try.”
They fry pizza, but that’s nothing too strange. We do that here too.
They fry ice cream. Not exactly common, but by now we know that one well in Italy too.
But then things get truly wild: for example, they deep-fry Mars bars.
Yes, Mars bars!
Just imagine the cholesterol hit from something like that.
And then comes the ultimate masterpiece: deep-fried butter.
That’s right, fried butter. Balls of butter coated in egg yolk and breadcrumbs, plunged into boiling oil—and it’s basically a knockout blow for your arteries.
Do we really need to add anything else?
Scotland may boast the oldest human settlement in the entire United Kingdom
Have you ever heard of Skara Brae? No?
Well, get ready to take a trip back in time—and we’re not talking about rummaging through your grandmother’s drawer for old black-and-white photos. We’re talking about a journey some 5,000 years into the past, to the heart of Scotland, where the oldest human settlement in the whole United Kingdom decided to set up camp... or rather, lay down its stones!
Skara Brae, located in the remote Orkney Islands, is so ancient that it makes the Colosseum look like a newcomer. Just think: while the ancient Romans hadn’t yet begun conquering their Mediterranean neighbors, the people of Orkney were already busy creating the Stone Age version of IKEA. And we’re talking about complete homes, even furnished—though, of course, in stone!
The best part?
These stone houses have largely stood the test of time and today offer us an incredible glimpse into how local people lived as far back as 7,000 years ago.
If you’re a history lover, Skara Brae is an absolute must!
One of the Scots’ most popular sports involves throwing enormous logs
By now, we’ve all figured out that Scottish culture is wonderfully wild—and that’s exactly why we love it so much!
So wild, in fact, that during the Highland Games, a clan competition that has been taking place for some 900 years, one of the best-known strength events is the caber toss.
Picture a gigantic tree trunk, almost as long as a bus and as heavy as a small bear. Now imagine having to lift it off the ground and throw it so that it flips end over end and lands straight.
An impossible feat?
Maybe for us, yes—but not for the Scots.
The competitors, known as “throwers,” are true giants who look as though they’ve stepped straight out of an Asterix comic. And these huge athletes manage to lift the logs and make them land upright.
Incredible!
It’s not unusual to spot the royal family among the spectators; after all, who would want to miss a group of giants in kilts tossing logs as if they were playing a game?
Read also: The legend of the Loch Ness Monster like you’ve never heard it before
In conclusion
Now that you know some of the strangest facts about Scotland, you’re one step closer to discovering the true spirit of this country. But one step is not enough.
Much better to throw yourself heart and soul into discovering Scotland, don’t you think?
Well then, if that idea appeals to you, we’ve got an amazing proposal: an 8-day trip through Scotland where you’ll get to experience it fully, in a way ordinary tourists can only dream of.
So come on, pack that backpack with everything you need and get ready to leave with us!
