6 Incredible Facts About Scotland

Chances are you use an invention of Scottish origin on a daily basis, whether you know it or not. If you watched the television or used a telephone, then you have a Scot to thank. The tyres on your car? They’re also from Scotland, courtesy of John Boyd Dunlop.

Golfers are probably aware that the game was invented in St. Andrews on Scotland’s east coast, and if you have been to the hospital recently, you may have been treated with Penicillin, an antibiotic vaccine first discovered by Alexander Fleming.

Many countries have an official animal, but none that we know of can compete with Scotland’s mythical beast. This horse-like creature is often depicted with a long horn and the ability to heal the sick.

You’ll see them in Renaissance art and stuffed in toy stores. Despite their friendly characteristics in modern times, in the olden days it was said that an unchained unicorn was very dangerous – that’s why the Scots chose this cool animal to represent the nation.

If you spend any time in Scotland, you’ll notice the large amount of people with ginger hair. Around 13% of Scots have red hair, versus only 2% of the world’s population. Not only does it look great and turn heads, the gene that causes red hair allows for better Vitamin D absorption – very handy in places with not much sunshine.

Whether you drink it over ice, in a cocktail, or even in a cup of tea (hot Toddy, anyone?), there’s no denying that whisky is one of the world’s leading liquors. It’s made by distilling malted grain and letting it mature for at least 3 years. Many of the finest Scottish whiskies are aged between 12 and 21 years. Known in Gaelic as Uisge-beatha (the water of life), Scotch whisky is the chief export of the nation and makes up roughly 10% of everything sold abroad by Scotland.