When you say “Scotland,” you might think of bagpipes, kilts, and tartans.
Or maybe your mind goes straight to the elusive yet infamous Loch Ness monster! But there’s so much more to surprise and delight us “north of the border”.
Here are 10 surprising facts that you may not know:
The official animal of Scotland is the unicorn. In Celtic mythology it’s a symbol of purity and power.
The highest proportion of red-haired people in the world is in Scotland. About 13% of the Scottish population has red hair, while 40% carry the recessive redhead gene.
Scotland is well renowned for its whisky but what few people know is that whisky was invented in China and first distilled by monks in Ireland in the early 15th century before reaching Scotland 100 years later.
The Atholl Highlanders are the only remaining private army in Europe and act as the personal bodyguard to the Duke, Chief of Clan Murray. Find out more on our Walk in the Highlands
The world’s shortest commercial flight is in Scotland, which connects two of their islands. The flight can be finished in 47 seconds, and it spans a distance of just 1.7 miles.
Bonnybridge, a small town of Scotland, has become notorious for UFO sightings. There are more than 300 UFO’s reported every year.
The most famous Scottish dish is haggis. Haggis is typically made with the heart, liver, and lungs of sheep, and boiled with oatmeal and seasoning in the animal’s stomach.
Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital, was the first city in the world to have its own fire brigade.
The coastline of mainland Scotland is 6,160 miles long, which is three times longer than England’s.
There are an estimated 3,000 castles in Scotland – which equals one castle for every 100 square miles.
On our Highlands Walk we travel through Scotland’s turbulent and intriguing history while enjoying the contrasting and rich scenery of the Central Highlands arriving finally in Edinburgh, the ancient capital.
From Culloden Moor where Highland life changed forever, to the mountainous splendour of the Cairngorm National Park, then the dramatic contrasts of the lower hills, glens and forests, we see ancient standing stones and pass scenes of historic conflicts.
Our journey ends in Edinburgh, first with a walk down the Royal Mile followed by a climb to the top of Arthur’s Seat for panoramic views of the city and beyond. As for refreshment, we will dine on the freshest Scottish produce including salmon and local Angus beef and – to finish on a high note – we will enjoy a whisky tasting evening.
Or visit the gentle heather clad hills on our Scottish Borders Walk. It’s the perfect mix of dramatic scenery, colorful history, and age old traditions.
This Walk follows the river Tweed, weaving a tale of lords and kings, of military conquests and uprisings. From literary masterpieces by the likes of Sir Walter Scott and John Buchan, to life along the meandering Tweed.
Our ambitious itinerary is highlighted with visits to castles and stately homes, including private tours and meals with current Lords and Ladies of the manor. We learn about salmon fishing and weaving wool. And we take time to connect to the region’s fascinating history and culture.