Scotland is one of the most unique places in the world, full of breathtaking natural landscapes, deeply rooted history, and traditions. It’s also one of the most mysterious, surrounded by myths like The Loch Ness Monster and haunted castles that to this day spook its inhabitants and visitors. Even its national animal is a unicorn, which adds even more confusion about what this country really is.
Lucky for you, today we’re going to be uncovering some of its mysteries and embarking on a list full of all things Scottish, starting from Scotland's nature and finishing with its people and their quirky personalities. Scroll down to find out more about this fascinating country, courtesy of the ‘Anything Scottish’ Facebook page.
#1 Isle Of Skye
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#2 Protect This Man At All Costs ❤️❤️
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#3 Meanwhile In Scotland
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We all probably know that Scotland is famous for its incredible nature, national animal, haunted castles, men wearing kilts, haggis, the Loch Ness Monster, ginger population, bagpipes, and the Scottish whisky (try saying that in one breath).
But have you ever taken the time to learn how these fascinating aspects of the country came to be? If not, no worries, as we’re going to be delving deeper into some of them today.
#4 Welcome To Scotland
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#5 So Cute
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#6 Scotlands The Best ??
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We’ll start off by Scotland’s ginger population, which is the second largest in the world. It’s estimated that around 6% to 13% of the country's inhabitants have red hair. This totals to around 650,000 Scottish people possessing fire locks.
#7 Waiting For The Bus On The Isle Of Skye, Scotland
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#8 Bus Driver
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#9 The Beautiful Kelpies
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Globally, this trait is rare, with just 1-2% of the population having the ginger gene. However, scientists speculate that it’s so common in the northern regions because it allows the body to keep in the heat and produce vitamin D. These traits evolved over time in places where there’s not much sunlight. This is a big advantage, as efficient vitamin production helped to avoid illnesses during long, cold winters.
Some also think that the red hair gene appeared in Scotland due to Vikings who settled in the British Isles, which is partly true too.
#10 Luskentyre Beach - Outer Hebrides, Scotland
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#11 One Of The Most Beautiful Places On Earth
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#12 The Isle Of Skye, Scotland
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Next, we’re moving onto something that is rarer than red heads—the national animal of Scotland—the unicorn. The connection to this mythical animal comes from the Celtic culture, where it symbolized innocence and purity as well as chivalry, pride and boldness. The first recorded use of the unicorn symbol appeared in the 12th century on the Scottish Royal coat of arms. By the 15th century, the animal already embellished coins that circulated for the next century.
#13 Welcome To Glasgow
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#14 The Cost Of The Stay Is Free.. So It Nae Bad Really
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#15 Proof In The Pudding.. Nessie Is Real
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Funnily enough, for thousands of years people believed that unicorns were real. However, in 1825, a French naturalist, Georges Cuvier, was determined to dispel this myth. He based his belief on the fact that animals with a split hoof couldn’t grow a single horn on their heads. Despite his attempts, the unicorn spirit continues to live on. Scotland even has a national day for it, which is celebrated on 9 April.
#16 This Beats The Coca Cola Christmas Truck Any Day Of The Week
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#17 Crazy Mood In Sligachan! Beautiful Place
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#18 Never Ordering Off Temu Again!! That's Nae Tent!! Fuming
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Continuing with the theme of mythical creatures, Scotland's castles are believed to be inhabited by ghosts. As Haunted Britain and Ireland writes, “A variety of ghosts are to be found in the houses, castles, inns, moors, lochs and ruins of Haunted Scotland. Scotland has always been a divided nation and its history is spattered with the blood of countless conflicts, many of them fought between the Highlanders and the Lowlanders. Only very occasionally did the two sink their differences to unite against a common enemy, as successive English Kings strove to invade and conquer.”
#19 Scotland's Bonnie Purple Heather
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#20 When It Snows In Glencoe
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#21 Edinburgh On A Winter's Day
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The militant and bloody past of Scotland might be the reason why some people believe the castles to be haunted. Many battles took place in them, so it’s no surprise these locations may have an eerie atmosphere to them. One of the most notable ones is the Drum Castle.
#22 ??
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#23 Old Man Of Storr, Scotland ? ?_stevenmurphy_
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#24 Scottish Wains For The Next 3 Weeks
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The tower house is among the oldest ones in the country and is known to be a hot spot for supernatural activity. It’s believed that the castle is haunted by its former residents, Anna Forbes Irvine and her son Alexender, who died aged six. In 2014, one of the ghosts was captured on camera as "strange mist" and was featured extensively on the press.
#25 What A Beautiful Shot! Looks Like A Painting; Black Valley
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#26
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#27 Glencoe Is Absolutely Breathtaking!
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Well, I hope, dear Pandas, that we didn’t spook you too much from visiting the mythical and beautiful Scotland. If, on the contrary, we piqued your interest and you’d like to see more of what it has to offer, you can check out our previous articles about Scottish people and their sense of humor.
#28
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#29 Only There
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#30 Love This
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#31 Castle Stalker Is A Four-Storey Tower House Or Keep Picturesquely Set On A Tidal Islet On Loch Laich, An Inlet Off Loch Linnhe
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#32 The Isle Of Skye
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#33 LOL
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#34 Beautiful Pic Of Lerwick, Shetland. ??????? ?@travel.in.scotland
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#35 Isle Of Skye Is Absolutely Breathtaking
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#36 Canny Wait For These Days Already
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#37 A Scottish Fairy
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#38 So Cute
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#39 Chill
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#40 Steak, Black Pudding And Peppercorn Sauce Pies Absolutely Delicious From Charles Mchardy Butchers
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#41 Fantastic Photo Beautiful Scotland
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#42 Cockburn Street ??????? Photo : @mikaela_hastie
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#43 Scottish Midgie Under A Magnifying Glass
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#44 Gaun Yersel ??????????????
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#45 Isle Of Lewis
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#46 Beware Of The Hungry Haggis Clan
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#47 Breakfast Roll
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#48 Ye Know
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#49 Best Holiday Destination
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#50 LOL
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#51 ?
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#52 The Leaderfoot Viaduct In The Scottish Borders Is A Must-See. ? This Majestic 19th-Century Bridge, Once A Key Part Of The Berwickshire Railway, Now Stands As A Stunning Landmark. ?@lens_time
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#53 The Ancient Royal Burgh Of Inveraray Is Located 60 Miles Northwest Of Glasgow By Loch Fyne In An Area Of Spectacular Natural Beauty. The Ruggedness Of The Highland Scenery Serves As A Spectacular Backdrop For The Sheltered Tidal Loch, Beside Which Nestles The Present Castle Built Between 1745 And 1790. ?: @steffen.rittmeier/Ig
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#54 The Scottish Highlands
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#55 Haha
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#56 Princes Street, Edinburgh In The Snow Is Magic
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#57 Beautiful Winter Scenery In Scotland ❄️ .? @paul_watt_photography @top Fans
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#58 LOL
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#59 The Beautiful City Of Glasgow
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#60 Gaun Yersel ??
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#61 The Old Man Of Storr
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#62 The Iconic View Over Edinburgh From Calton Hill, What's Not To Love
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#63 Scottish Cuisine
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#64 “Go To Glasgow At Least Once In Your Life And Have A Roll And Square Sliced Sausage And A Cup Of Tea. When You Feel The Tea Coursing Over Your Spice-Singed Tongue, You'll Know What I Mean When I Say: It's Good To Be Alive." - Sir Billy Connolly
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#65 Criminal Offence!!
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#66 Ye Mean Mair Tae Us Scots Than Some 'Weed' Yer The Bonniest Wee Flower ????????? Credit - Susan Ferguson
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#67 Tablet ? ?craig Conlin
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#68 Love Coming Hame And The Mrs Has Got Ma Dinner Ready ??
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#69 The Stunning Dunrobin Castle
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#70 Looks Legit To Me
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#71 Canny Beat It ??
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#72 Next Stop.. Haymarket ???????
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#73 Oh Dear
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#74 Bonnie Scotland
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#75 ?
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#76 The Best Days ??
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#77 Hiding From The Wife?
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#78 Cranachan Is A Fresh Scottish Dessert That Was Traditionally Made To Celebrate The Raspberry Harvest In June. It’s Simple But Super Delicious!so Much So That It’s Even Been Called The “King Of Scottish Desserts”
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#79 He's Ready For Battle!
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#80 Hauns Aff
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#81 Whos Wantin To Tan These With Me
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#82 Rodel Is A Village On The South-Eastern Coast Of Harris, An Island In The Scottish Outer Hebrides. Rodel Is Situated In The Parish Of Harris. It Was Historically The Capital Of Harris, And The Main Port Before Tarbert Took The Title. ?: @dumitrip/ Instagram
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#83 Mrs Made Me Pizza
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#84 LOL
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#85 LOL
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#86 Rabbie Burns Mural In Kilmarnock
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#87 This View ❤️ - Grassmarket, Edinburgh ? Photo By @rossmurrayphotography/ Ig
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#88 Mmm
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#89 Welcome To Oban
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#90 ?? Scotdrone
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#91 Looking Out Over Loch Awe ✨ ? Loch Awe ? Photo : @iainmuirhead_photography/ Ig
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#92 Anyone For Some Golf ? ?james Alroca
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#93 Visit Scotland ??????????????? ? Adam West
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#94 Scotland
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#95 Back In The Day ???
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#96 Roll And Mince
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#97 Banging ??
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#98 A Blast From The Past
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#99 LOL
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#100 Abandoned Castle In Scotland
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#101 ?
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#102 ??
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#103 Tunnocks Are Now Developing The Super Hamper And Hope To Get It In The Shops By November 31st
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#104 Broon Sauce And Slice ??
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