What Is Scotland’s National Animal – and Why Is It a Unicorn?

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Ask most people to name Scotland’s national animal and they’ll guess the stag, the golden eagle, maybe even the Highland cow. Almost nobody guesses right. Scotland’s official national animal is the unicorn — a creature that has never existed — and the story of how it got there says as much about Scottish defiance as it does about mythology.

The Red Deer: Scotland’s Real Monarch of the Glen

Long before anyone put a unicorn on a coat of arms, the red deer was already here. Britain’s largest land mammal has roamed the Scottish Highlands since the last Ice Age retreated roughly 10,000 years ago, making it older than most of Scotland’s castles, clans, and even its language. A mature stag can weigh over 190kg and carry antlers spanning nearly a metre — a genuine wild spectacle, not a Highland tourist prop.

The deer worked its way into the national imagination long before it needed official status. Celtic legend cast it as a forest guide, appearing to travellers at crossroads. Clan crests carried its image. Whisky brands built entire identities around it. And in 1851, Sir Edwin Landseer painted a single stag standing alone against a Highland sky — The Monarch of the Glen— an image so enduring it still shapes how the world pictures Scotland today.

Red deer remain genuinely easy to spot if you know where to look: the Cairngorms National Park, Glen Etive, and the Isle of Jura all hold strong populations. Early morning and dusk are best, especially during the autumn rut (late September to November), when stags roar to challenge rivals across the glens — one of the most dramatic wildlife sounds in Britain.

So Why a Unicorn?

Because Scotland has never done things the safe way. In medieval and Celtic mythology, the unicorn stood for power, purity, and an untameable spirit — a beast so wild it could only be tamed by a virgin, and so strong it would rather die than be captured. That refusal to submit was exactly the message Scottish kings wanted attached to their crown.

Unicorns started appearing on Scottish royal seals and coats of arms by the 12th century, and gained ground through the reign of King Robert III in the 14th century. When James VI of Scotland became James I of England in 1603, the unicorn was placed directly opposite England’s lion on the new unified Royal Coat of Arms — a carefully chosen symbol of two proud nations bound together, neither one subdued. Look closely at the Scottish version and you’ll notice the unicorn wears a chain. It’s not a mark of captivity — it’s there to suggest that only a truly worthy sovereign could ever hope to hold such a creature.

Where to See Both Symbols in Scotland

You don’t have to choose between the myth and the reality — both are on full display across the country. The unicorn appears on the Mercat Cross on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile, above the gates of Holyrood Palace, and carved into Stirling Castle’s Great Hall. For the red deer, head north: RSPB Abernethy and the Cairngorms offer some of the most reliable sightings in Scotland, with several estates running guided deer-watching walks during rutting season.

“Scotland’s two national animals — one real, one mythical — capture the country perfectly: grounded in rugged nature, but always reaching for something greater.”

Have you ever heard a stag roar across a glen at dusk — or would you rather go hunting for unicorns on the Royal Mile? Either way, you’re chasing something quintessentially Scottish.

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Secure Your Dream Scottish Experience Before It’s Gone!

Planning a trip to Scotland? Don’t let sold-out tours or packed attractions dampen your adventure. Iconic experiences like exploring Edinburgh Castle, cruising along Loch Ness, or wandering through the mystical Isle of Skye often fill up fast—especially during peak travel seasons.

Booking in advance guarantees your place and ensures you can fully immerse yourself in the rich culture and breathtaking scenery without stress or disappointment. You’ll also free up time to explore Scotland's hidden gems and savour those authentic moments that make your trip truly special.

Make the most of your journey—start planning today and secure those must-do experiences before they’re gone!