Of all the animals a nation might choose to represent it, Scotland settled on the unicorn. Not the eagle, not the bear, not even the lion that already roared from its royal standard — but a proud, untameable creature of legend. It was a deliberate choice, and a revealing one. So why is the unicorn Scotland's national animal, and what did it come to say about the nation that adopted it?
Quick Answer: Why Is the Unicorn Scotland's National Animal?
The unicorn became Scotland's national animal because, in medieval heraldry, it symbolised purity, nobility and a fierce, untameable pride — qualities Scotland wished to claim for itself. Scottish kings adopted the unicorn into the royal arms from the fifteenth century, and it was long held that a unicorn could only be captured or tamed by a rightful king. It is almost always shown bound by a gold chain, a detail read as a symbol of a powerful beast held in check — and, to many, of a proud nation that would never be conquered.
When Did Scotland Adopt the Unicorn?
The unicorn entered Scottish royal heraldry in the late medieval period, and by the reign of the Stewart kings in the fifteenth century it was firmly established as a royal emblem. King James III made particular use of the unicorn, and it appeared on gold coins of the era — which were even known as "unicorns." By the time heraldry had matured in Scotland, two unicorns stood as the supporters of the Scottish royal arms, flanking the shield on either side. It was, by then, unmistakably Scotland's beast.
What Does the Unicorn Symbolise?
In the heraldic imagination, the unicorn carried a rich set of meanings that suited Scotland well.
- Purity and innocence — the unicorn was regarded as a noble and untainted creature.
- Untameable pride — it was believed the unicorn would rather die than be captured, a fitting emblem for a nation that prized its independence.
- Strength and nobility — a powerful beast of high standing, worthy of a king.
- Royal authority — tradition held that only a true king could tame a unicorn, tying the beast directly to legitimate sovereignty.
These were exactly the qualities the Scottish crown wished to project, which is why the unicorn sat so naturally alongside the older royal Lion Rampant.
Why Is the Scottish Unicorn Always in Chains?
Look at any depiction of Scotland's unicorn and you will see a gold chain wrapped around it. This is not an accident of decoration. In medieval belief, the unicorn was so wild and so powerful that it could not be taken by force — only a king could master it. The chain was read as a sign of that mastery: a dangerous, magnificent beast held in check by rightful royal authority. Many Scots have long read a second meaning into it too — a proud nation that may be bound but is never truly tamed. Whichever reading you prefer, the chained unicorn is one of the most evocative images in all of British heraldry.
The Lion and the Unicorn: Why Are They Together?
If you have seen the United Kingdom's royal coat of arms, you will know the lion and the unicorn as a pair — the lion representing England, the unicorn representing Scotland. Their pairing dates from the Union of the Crowns in 1603, when James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne to become James I of England. He brought the Scottish unicorn into the combined royal arms, where it has stood beside the English lion ever since. In the version of the royal arms used in Scotland, the unicorn even takes the more honoured position. It is a small heraldic detail with a great deal of history behind it, part of the longer story told in The Scottish Royal Family.
Is the Unicorn Still Used Today?
Very much so. The unicorn remains Scotland's official national animal and appears across Scottish public life — on the royal arms, on historic buildings, atop mercat crosses in old burgh towns, and in the emblems of institutions across the country. Far from a curiosity, it is a living symbol of Scottish identity, as recognisable today as the thistle or the saltire. Its meaning, like the best heraldic charges, is explored further in What Do the Symbols on a Family Crest Mean?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Scotland choose a unicorn?
Scotland chose the unicorn because it symbolised purity, nobility and an untameable pride that matched the nation's sense of independence. Scottish kings adopted it into the royal arms from the fifteenth century.
Why is the Scottish unicorn chained?
The gold chain reflects the medieval belief that a unicorn was so powerful only a king could tame it. Many also read it as a proud nation held in check but never truly conquered.
What do the lion and unicorn represent?
In the royal arms, the lion represents England and the unicorn represents Scotland. They were brought together after the Union of the Crowns in 1603.
Is the unicorn still Scotland's national animal?
Yes. The unicorn remains Scotland's official national animal and appears widely across Scottish heraldry and public life to this day.
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