Scottish parliament officially declared the unicorn as the national animal of Scotland in the late fourteenth century, a majestic symbol that remains in place to this day.

A closer look

Scottish parliament officially declared the unicorn as the national animal of Scotland in the late fourteenth century, a majestic symbol that remains in place to this day. You really have to respect a country whose historical leaders looked at all the terrifying wolves, bears, and stags available in the real world and confidently decided to hitch their cultural wagon to a completely fictional horse with a horn glued to its forehead. It perfectly explains the deep-seated national penchant for mythical storytelling, romanticized rebellion, and the consumption of strong, barrel-aged whiskey, because you definitely need a stiff drink to defend your choice of an imaginary mascot to the rest of the world