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.
This post may include affiliate links.
Isle Of Skye
The Cuillins. I tried to go walking up there in a storm as a gung-ho youngster. I bumped into some military types on an exercise who told me I was going back down the mountain now, either on my own legs or slung over their backpack because they were in no mood to be rescuing silly girls. I've never made such a quick descent...
That's not the Cuillins, they're in the opposite direction.
Load More Replies...Protect This Man At All Costs ❤️❤️
Welcome To Scotland
How are you supposed to drive there and stay on the road. Gee. What a view.
Good point. The photographer seems to be driving on the wrong side.
Load More Replies...Looks like Shetland to me. I saw the mirrie dancers (what they call the aurora) there when I was visiting the in-laws one year.
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.
So Cute
Americans don't believe me that in Scotland we have ginger people, ginger cows, ginger squirrels, we call all sodadrinks 'ginger', and our national soda is the color ginger. I think we have a problem. Do we need intervention?
Ya know that this is not unusual. Corb Lund wrote a song to a Highland cow.
Meanwhile In Scotland
One Of The Most Beautiful Places On Earth
Scotland IS the most beautiful place on Earth if it's not raining and clearing
So,it's the most beautiful place on earth 2 days a year?
Load More Replies...Been there; it’s along the West Highland Railway route between Glasgow and Fort William. Voted one of the most beautiful train rides in Europe, and it lived up to the hype. (This viaduct frequently shows up in movies, including the first Harry Potter movie.)
You see, for a split moment I thought that was traffic under the bridge, but then I zoomed in, prepared for disappointment, no, it's a beautiful river. There is hope for humanity, but none for my poor eyesight and my regular sleep schedule
Can't believe I was stupid enough to leave this place. The grass is NEVER greener.
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.
The Beautiful Kelpies
They're fantastic sculptures to see during the day, but holy heck this photo is astounding and makes them look even more impressive!
Load More Replies...Luskentyre Beach - Outer Hebrides, Scotland
I had no idea there was a beach like this in Scotland. Thanks for my new piece of knowledge for the day!
Do not be fooled, as beautiful as this is, I promise, no matter what time of year it is, this place is cold!
Scotlands The Best 🤣🤣
I love that the old woman beside the stormtrooper does not bat an eye.
Old Scots women don't bat an eye at anything, they've seen it all and have no f*cks left to give.
Load More Replies...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.
Bus Driver
How I miss Scottish sarcasm to questions, kept you on your toes and your mind sharp for witty retorts.
Waiting For The Bus On The Isle Of Skye, Scotland
This sheep is showing signs of intelligence, knowing exactly where to catch the bus.
"In case of {X} break glass. "{X}" is left as an exercise for the reader."
The Isle Of Skye, Scotland
Quirang and it's gorgeous. Best in early spring and autumn if you want to avoid crowds of tourists.
I used to mule weed from Glasgow to Isle of Skye every month for a couple of years (when they saw the red rucksack, everyone knew the delivery was in!) and never got to see the 'tourist crowds'. Everytime I was there, summer or winter, it was quiet. Do they all only flock to one town there or something?
Load More Replies...The crowds mostly hang by the parking lot and take pictures. Once you get past the first little rivulet it's only hikers.
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.
Scotland's Bonnie Purple Heather
Great honey -. Chainbridge, John Mellis, Littleover Apiaries
Load More Replies...Okay, whoever lives there, I'm ready for marriage! I'll bring snaps for the honeymoon and live off irn bru for the rest of my life...
Whors a the gippos whos gonnae sell it tae ye on the high street?
Love This
Are they Highland cattle? They look similar, but the horns seem a bit short. Maybe they're young.
Edinburgh On A Winter's Day
I used to work just up the road from here and I never got sick of the views. Luckily I still get to visit Edinburgh to see family from time to time.
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.
Scottish Wains For The Next 3 Weeks
Thought they would leave whisky for Santa. We always did. None of this milk and cookies malarkey Santa was on the hard stuff when he came to our house.
He only got whiskey at my house when my stepdad moved in for some reason...
Load More Replies...Wains = children for those who are unfamiliar, we call them bairns here
When It Snows In Glencoe
Cruel was that snow that swept Glencoe and covered the grave of Donald - murdered by the Campbells!!! (folk song)
Now it's in my head. I have to go dig up the CD and play it, all because you couldn't resist.
Load More Replies...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.”
What A Beautiful Shot! Looks Like A Painting; Black Valley
🤣🤣
Start celebrating Christmas with us Scandinavians, we eat all the good food on the eve of 24th, get our presents, and then spend the 25th being hungover, and going for a brisk walk to burn some calories, come home and eat all the leftovers, and then sleep on the sofa.
My ex-wife is from Scotland, I miss her Scottish brogue and the way she talked.
Isle Of Skye Is Absolutely Breathtaking
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.
The Cost Of The Stay Is Free.. So It Nae Bad Really
Fantastic Photo Beautiful Scotland
This Beats The Coca Cola Christmas Truck Any Day Of The Week
Remember when the Hong Kong protesters parted like the red sea to let an ambulance through? That's what you'd see in Scotland when this badboy rode up, maybe even see a few people remove their hats and hold them to their chest, maybe even make the sign of the cross. You don't mess with the Bru!
Why? Why must you love this drink? It tastes like rusty nails
Load More Replies...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.
The Isle Of Skye
LOL
18 to buy for yourself, but no limit at home, I don;t think. 16 with parents in restaurants.
Load More Replies...they should up the age to 101 if you ask me.. Especially if you want responsible behavier. At 101 your to old to drive.
Welcome To Glasgow
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.
Proof In The Pudding.. Nessie Is Real
Yeah sure. That's clearly the prow of a sinking Viking boat. Why don't you ask the UFO pilot instead of spreading such nonsense?
Beautiful Pic Of Lerwick, Shetland. 🏴 📷@travel.in.scotland
Say what now??? Exactly how many ponies do you expect in Lerwick?
Load More Replies...Glencoe Is Absolutely Breathtaking!
That's what they want you to think. And then BAM! Hannibal and a few hundred elephants!
Load More Replies...So Cute
I had absolutely no problems understanding it, and only discovered it might be difficult to understand when I read the comments.
Load More Replies...There's a guy who brings his dog on site with him and the thing's kitted out in a high-visibility vest and everything. I think that's right, anyway.
Load More Replies...Strangely, after being married to a Scott for several years, I understand this completely.
Crazy Mood In Sligachan! Beautiful Place
Close by is a nice hostel, and a pub with > 300 different whiskies. It's the pub where ex and I decided to move to Scotland. :) (10 years and 1 Brexit later still a good decision)
I am so jealous of you! It is my biggest regret in life to not have traveled abroad when I was young and unattached.
Load More Replies...Can someone just let these folks know that I'll be there by 5:50 tomorrow night for a long weekend...
Castle Stalker Is A Four-Storey Tower House Or Keep Picturesquely Set On A Tidal Islet On Loch Laich, An Inlet Off Loch Linnhe
I don't think you're allowed to say that out loud?
Load More Replies...I had a closeup picture of that castle for my wallpaper for a while. Love it.
Never Ordering Off Temu Again!! That's Nae Tent!! Fuming
Guys, what's with the Temu hate? I've got good stuff there (admittedly, Amazon had already taught me to check dimensions and have a closer look at the photos).
Just like all the other cheap sites they use slave labour, and environmentally un-sustainable materials. What do people need so urgently that they can't find a local sustainable alternative.
Load More Replies...Only There
Is that "every haircut" or "every hair cut"? The first option sounds good, but the second might prove fatal.
I don't care for whiskey either. But whisky, now, that's a horse of a different color.
Load More Replies...What is this sacrilege?! Who's getting hung from a lamppost on the 6pm news?!
Steak, Black Pudding And Peppercorn Sauce Pies Absolutely Delicious From Charles Mchardy Butchers
Chill
I'd wear a T-shirt, but I'd still be in long pants. For context, I live in California.
Load More Replies...I was thinking the same thing! Even today, which was 25, I was cold most of the time.
Load More Replies...Don't know why you were downvoted, you're accurate.
Load More Replies...A Scottish Fairy
You gave me a memory...oh Christmas tree, but singing it in German...thanks for the poem/carol suggestion
Load More Replies...He creeps into kids‘ bedrooms while they’re sleeping and steals all the credit for the hard work and scrimping and saving that the parents (almost always the mothers) have done!
Load More Replies...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
LOL
Princes Street, Edinburgh In The Snow Is Magic
Yeah, I was living in Brighton at the time. Snow on a British beach!
Load More Replies...Beautiful Winter Scenery In Scotland ❄️ .📸 @paul_watt_photography @top Fans
We haven't seen snow like this in more years than I would like, probably 10-15 years. I drove a Ford Fiesta back then and the snow was up to the windows. Such a beautiful site.
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
The Iconic View Over Edinburgh From Calton Hill, What's Not To Love
And it's not just beautiful, but friendly, too. We're so lucky to live here.
Canny Wait For These Days Already
In late July we were on a tour of the still chilly Shetland Islands when one of our party asked the guide, "When do you have summer in Scotland?" "Oh, you just missed it", she replied. "It was yesterday."
Isle Of Lewis
Beware Of The Hungry Haggis Clan
😊
Shylock put it like this: "And others, when the bagpipe sings i'th' nose, Cannot contain their urine"
Cockburn Street 🏴 Photo : @mikaela_hastie
You don’t pronounce the “ck”… so it’s Coburns. Looks rude but doesn’t sound it!
Gaun Yersel 🏴🏴
Breakfast Roll
I haven't had this in 14yrs.....the tears are streaming down my face and my mouth is salivating at the memory.
I suspect a bit of Photoshop is going on here - no-one can get their teeth around that monster.
The Scottish Highlands
Ye Know
Or 'Glackit'. I love using that term on Americans, completely bamboozles them.
“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
And a fine actor. He knows how to disappear into a role, like Alec Guinness used to.
Load More Replies...Can someone mail me one? I haven't tasted the glory of Lorne sausage in years.
What country? You can order from the butchers online
Load More Replies...Best Holiday Destination
For those not understanding: the sign is about MIDGES, small irritating cousin of the mosquito. Someone changed it to MINGES, which is a slang Scottish term for a lady's nethers.
Maybe the sign wasn't changed, maybe it's a nunnery?
Load More Replies...Scottish Midgie Under A Magnifying Glass
AI generated. This is what they typically really look like: https://theworldcloseup.com/work/biting-midge
https://theworldcloseup.com/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_1920/public/portfolio/images/biting_midge.jpg?itok=wJAsrv57
Load More Replies...Again: AI generated. This is what they typically really look like: https://theworldcloseup.com/work/biting-midge
That's what it feels like but it's really more like a tiny mosquito (unless you're West coast)
Used to hate midges, then moved to Albuquerque USA where the mosquitos here are like chinooks, can bite through jeans, bite so hard you feel like you just got stabbed with a knitting needle, and legs are covered in brown circle scars from the bites which won't fade and look like i have cigarette burns. I will never complain about midges again once I move home.
I am from Albuquerque and I have to agree about the mosquitos. We also have little biting flies.
Load More Replies...Haha
If only people hadn't listened to the lies and the false promises in 2014. We could be in the EU and far away from the government that cut the pensioner's winter fuel allowance, before jumping on the "welfare recipients are all thieves" bandwagon. F**k the Tories, no matter if blue or red.
It's the only sensible and sustainable solution. Although we're told that uniquely for a first world nation, we're too poor and too stupid to be able to run our own country.
The Beautiful City Of Glasgow
Ye Mean Mair Tae Us Scots Than Some 'Weed' Yer The Bonniest Wee Flower 💙🏴💙 Credit - Susan Ferguson
I cut many a thistle plant out of the pasture when my mom kept sheep. They're pretty but not good for sheep to snack on.
Our national flower is a perfect representation of Scotland: Beautiful, but not to be f*cked with.
The Stunning Dunrobin Castle
Bonnie Scotland
According to this post Scotland consists of Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Isle of Bloody Skye.
LOL
Tablet 😋 📷craig Conlin
I attempted to explain... but how do you describe tablet to anyone whose not had it?
Load More Replies...The Old Man Of Storr
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”
Scottish raspberries are the finest which has surprised me given how harsh the climate is. We get them in the south.
Load More Replies...He's Ready For Battle!
Looks Legit To Me
Next Stop.. Haymarket 🏴
Criminal Offence!!
Thats a heeler, sod this bloody outsider stuff, that sounds like west coast pish!
😂
Hang on a bit - that could have been me in England, some decades ago.
Bent over at a 45degree angle because the wind is strong enough to send you flying if you stand up straight.
Gaun Yersel 🥰🤣
England's to water contains shite. And they just put the charge up for Thames water.
England's tap water is clean and very varied. Although if a Scots person wants to say that sort of thing about the heavily chlorinated stuff that comes out of some of our taps, fair enough.
Load More Replies...I CAN'T WAIT TO GET BACK TO GLASGOW FOR A GLASS OF THE GOOD STUFF STRAIGHT FROM THE TAP!
Scottish water is peaty and soft in the highlands, and often comes out of the tap brown.....
Love Coming Hame And The Mrs Has Got Ma Dinner Ready 😍😍
Brocolli and carrots. (Nothing's perfect, after all.)
Load More Replies...Hiding From The Wife?
I googled and found the original pic, it just says "Not been in all day", no sense on why it's censored.
Load More Replies...Scottish Cuisine
I miss the 'Star' brand sauce chippies had when I lived there, it was pre-mixed with vinegar and was phenomenal on everything.
Canny Beat It 😋😋
In Guam it's burnt cookies. Bakeries keep packages of burnt cookies just for that reason. They can't get enough of them.
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
The Best Days 👌👌
This View ❤️ - Grassmarket, Edinburgh 📷 Photo By @rossmurrayphotography/ Ig
Anyone For Some Golf 😍 📷james Alroca
LOL
The actual biscuits & gravy isn't that good, Yorkshire Puddings & gravy are far superior in all ways. Taste, texture, quality of ingredients - and most important, dripping potential. You should fill the well/bowl in a yorkshire pudding to the brim with gravy, then bite into it, allowing the gravy to spill over the sides of your cheeks, up your nose and running off your chin so you look like a maniacal 2yr old.
Comparing biscuits and gravy to Yorkshire pudding is like comparing the Mona Lisa to the Venu de Milo. Masterpieces don't need to compete.
Load More Replies...Hauns Aff
Whos Wantin To Tan These With Me
Oh Dear
It saddens me knowing I won't have the satisfaction of watching his mum punt him down a flight of stairs for this. Scottish mothers have no chill, she won't take off her slipper to beat you, she'll whip two shades of sh*te out of you and put you in hospital then brag about it to the whole community.
Mrs Made Me Pizza
LOL
*Englishman rolls his eyes*. We're a fair sized country with lots of different water supplies, some hard, some soft, some heavily chlorinated, and some not. Admittedly, not much of it is stained brown by the peat, which I've only met in Scotland.
Rabbie Burns Mural In Kilmarnock
We named the main train station of our capital after a novel, gave its author the biggest monument of all, have a national holiday for another, and an actual "Storytelling Centre" to keep the art of live storytelling alive. And don't get me started on the wonderful book festival.
🤦🤣 Scotdrone
Looking Out Over Loch Awe ✨ 📍 Loch Awe 📸 Photo : @iainmuirhead_photography/ Ig
Visit Scotland 😍🏴🏴 📷 Adam West
Mmm
Scotland
😂
Banging 😂😍
Must you fry literally all food? Seriously. Please put down the batter.
Load More Replies...What am I looking at here? I see chips underneath fish of some kind, maybe chicken nuggets, and the round things on left are possibly onion rings
Known as "Munchie boxes" from Scottish chippies. For a fixed price you get this haul of food, usually comprising almost everything from the chippy menu. In this one there's fish n' chips, chicken nuggets, onion rings, i think top left is deep fried black pudding sausage or regular sausage, and possibly potato fritters (the round ones/oblong ones at the bottom). All this is missing is a deep fried battered pizza and the cholesterol pyramid is complete.
Load More Replies...A Blast From The Past
Back In The Day 🤣🤣👌
Involuntary snort laugh... now my students want to know what's so funny. I cannot explain without getting in serious trouble
1quid for a whole glass bottle....*Sniffle* the elders always said it was better in their day....
LOL
They're tasty, but vanilla ice cream plopped into a glass of Cream Soda is still king for me.
Load More Replies...Roll And Mince
You're enjoying this article eh? Brings a smile to my face reading how much you miss it. Hope you get home soon.
Load More Replies...😋😋
Tunnocks Are Now Developing The Super Hamper And Hope To Get It In The Shops By November 31st
Cadbury was taken over by an American company, changed the recipe to cruddy stuff......which isn't allowed to be sold in the UK as it doesn't meet food standards.
Load More Replies...Broon Sauce And Slice 😍😋
Lorne sausage, bacon, potato scone, and an egg over-easy on a buttered roll and slathered with HP. I want this more than a man in my life.
Abandoned Castle In Scotland
The only tour groups more annoying than the Outlander tours are the people who think this is a real place.
Downvote because it's the CGI Hogwarts School from Harry Potter, this doesn't belong here.
It's actually a model. I've seen it at the Harry Potter studios but the background is probably CGI.
Load More Replies...I was so close to saying "this looks just like Hogwarts" and then I realised...
Sudden urge to burn down my office, get in my car, drive straight to the airport and get on a flight home. Anyone got a place I can rent?
I'm getting the same urge and I'm not even Scottish
Load More Replies...Dear Scotland: you and your people are amazing!! With love from a far removed distant cousin (great grandfather was Scottish) ❤️
I was born in Scotland. Moved to Australia when I was 6. I'm 41 now. Very proud of my Scottish heritage but consider myself an Aussie that was born in Scotland
I’m a native Glaswegian but I’ve lived in Texas for 53 years. I love these photos that show and remind of how beautiful my homeland is.
Ah yes, nothing like a bit of ignorant bigotry to make the world a better place, is there? Although... I was wondering where the pictures of unruly drunks on a Saturday night had got to. 😉 (I'm English; I'm sure we've got more unruly drunks than Scotland, but probably about the same proportion)
Load More Replies...Sudden urge to burn down my office, get in my car, drive straight to the airport and get on a flight home. Anyone got a place I can rent?
I'm getting the same urge and I'm not even Scottish
Load More Replies...Dear Scotland: you and your people are amazing!! With love from a far removed distant cousin (great grandfather was Scottish) ❤️
I was born in Scotland. Moved to Australia when I was 6. I'm 41 now. Very proud of my Scottish heritage but consider myself an Aussie that was born in Scotland
I’m a native Glaswegian but I’ve lived in Texas for 53 years. I love these photos that show and remind of how beautiful my homeland is.
Ah yes, nothing like a bit of ignorant bigotry to make the world a better place, is there? Although... I was wondering where the pictures of unruly drunks on a Saturday night had got to. 😉 (I'm English; I'm sure we've got more unruly drunks than Scotland, but probably about the same proportion)
Load More Replies...
