I thought this was a joke when I heard it, but it is true!!!
Unicorns have featured in many cultures over the centuries, and even though they are mythical, what they represent has captured many hearts and minds along the way. This is especially true for the Scots.
How Did This Happen?
The answer to this question lies in heraldry. in the mid-1500s, the Scottish Coat of Arms started depicting 2 Unicorns wrapped in gold chains. It stuck until 1603 when King James VI of Scotland also became James I of England, and decided to substitute one of the unicorns with the English Lion, to represent the unity between the 2 countries.
Interestingly, the unicorns are always shown to be wrapped in gold chains. Although we aren’t entirely sure why, some say it depicts that only the Kings of Scotland have the power to tame the untamable.
Unicorns can be found throughout Scotland in the form of statues and monuments, honoring their national animal. Some include the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Apartments at Edinburgh Castle, and several hiding among the Victorian woodcarvings at St Giles’ Cathedral.
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