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

Do you believe in Legends? Here are Scotland’s most mythical places for your bucket list. Which legendary site would you visit first?

The Red deer and the Myth behind the Magic

When people learn that Scotland’s national animal is the unicorn, the reaction is often a mix of surprise and curiosity. But behind the mythical horn lies a deeper story—one that blends fantasy with fierce national pride. While the unicorn may be the official symbol, Scotland does have a real animal that roams its glens and forests: the mighty red deer.

The red deer is Britain’s largest land mammal and has lived in the Scottish Highlands since the end of the last Ice Age, around 10,000 years ago. With its impressive antlers and powerful presence, the stag has long been a symbol of strength and majesty. In Scottish folklore and Highland culture, the deer is closely tied to the land and the people who have lived alongside it for millennia. It appears in Celtic legends as a creature of the forest, often guiding or protecting travellers. Today, red deer are commonly found across the Highlands, the Cairngorms, and the Isle of Jura.

Though not officially designated, the red deer is widely seen as Scotland’s unofficial real animal. Its image appears on whisky labels, clan crests, and in art—most famously in Sir Edwin Landseer’s painting The Monarch of the Glen (1851), which shows a proud stag standing alone in a Highland landscape.

So why then, a unicorn?

The unicorn was officially adopted as Scotland’s national animal due to what it represented in medieval and Celtic mythology: power, purity, and an untameable spirit. By the 12th century, unicorns began appearing in royal coats of arms and official seals. The creature gained greater prominence during 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 opposite England’s lion in the unified Royal Coat of Arms—a symbol of unity, but also of the tension between the two nations. In Scottish versions, the unicorn is depicted wearing a chain—not to suggest captivity, but to imply that only a true and noble sovereign could control such a powerful beast.

In a way, Scotland’s two national animals—one real and one mythical—perfectly capture the country’s identity: grounded in rugged nature, but always reaching for something greater.

👉 Read more about Scotland’s Highland wildlife – What are Scotland’s Big Five? Have you ever spotted a red deer in the wild—or would you rather search for unicorns?

Related reading: Scotland’s wildlife is as legendary as its mythical creatures. Find out about Scotland’s Big Five animals, discover the best Scottish Islands for Wildlife Lovers, and explore What Grows Wild in Scotland. Ready to experience Scotland’s wild side? Our Scotland trip planning guide will help you plan your adventure.

So, do you believe in Legends? Here are Scotland’s most mythical places for your bucket list. Which legendary site would you visit first?

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is the unicorn Scotland's national animal?

Scotland officially adopted the unicorn as its national animal because it represented power, purity, and an untameable spirit valued in medieval and Celtic mythology. By the 12th century, unicorns were appearing in royal coats of arms, and the symbol gained greater prominence during the 14th century reign of King Robert III.

Does Scotland have a real national animal?

Yes—while the unicorn is official, the red deer serves as Scotland's unofficial real animal and has roamed the Highlands for around 10,000 years since the end of the last Ice Age.

What does the red deer represent in Scottish culture?

The red deer is woven throughout Scottish identity through Celtic legends, clan crests, and famous art like "The Monarch of the Glen," symbolizing strength and Scotland's deep connection to its Highland landscape.

Where can you see red deer in Scotland?

Red deer are commonly found across the Scottish Highlands, the Cairngorms, and the Isle of Jura, where you can spot them in their natural habitat.