Scottish national symbols and emblems
Come and visit us in the Highlands of Scotland, where you’ll come across many different national emblems! We’d like to take you on a journey to enjou some of these Scottish symbols, to help you understand what they mean and how to identify them. Plus, look out for some special flags, symbols and other icons on your travels around Scotland when on holidays at the Ulbster Arms Hotel near Thurso, Caithness…
TheNational Scottish Flag
Did you know that Scotland has its own flag? Our official flag of Scotland is known as the Saltire or St. Andrew’s Cross. It features a blue background with a white diagonal cross. When on your travels in Scotland you will see this flag flying around the country. It flies from important buildings and from our Scottish Castles.
The Scottish Royal Banner
We also have a Royal Banner of Scotland. And this is called the Lion Rampant. A bright yellow flag with a red border and red lion design. It represents the monarch of Scotland and can only officially be flown by a royal residence and a few select representatives.
The Patron Saint of Scotland
We have a famous Patron Saint of Scotland called, St Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland. We dedicate the 30th November, every year to him in the celbration of St Andrew’s Day. Here schools learn our Scots history and make Scottish flags to hang, and we enjoy a celebration of Scottish culture and tradition.
The Scottish National Anthem
This is one of our Scottish symbols to be heard. We Scots have adopted the Scottish song “Flower of Scotland” as our Scottish national anthem. We sing this beautiful song proudly at the start of Scotland sports matches, such as at rugby or football. And we also sing this at the Commonwealth Games.
The Scottish National Flower
All around Scotland, you can enjoy carvings of thistles as well as spotting the real thing growing wild out in the Scottish Highlands. The thistle is our floral emblem of Scotland. Scots have used it as a symbol of their Scottish heritage for centuries. We often incorporate them in our wedding bouquets and use them for the groom’s button holes. Lots of different varieties of thistle grow all over the country. Look out for them in any wild green areas, such as the Highlands, lowland parklands and our Scottish countryside.
Scotland’s National Animal
It may surprise you to learn that Scotland’s national animal is actually the mythical unicorn. In Scottish folklore, a unicorn is fierce, powerful and wild, just like the Scots were in clan times. In some of our representations around the country, the unicorn will appear in chains, possibly to signify that the Scottish Kings were strong enough to tame even a unicorn. We have many unicorns for you to enjoy and spot on your holiday to Scotland.
Where to see Highland Cow’s in Scotland
And don’t forget our famous Highland Cows! Or Hielan Coo’s in the Scots language. If you are wondering where to see Highland Cow’s in Scotland, you are in for a treat! The Highlands enjou plenty of these magnificent, gentle beasts for you to enjoy on your holidays in Scotland.
Scotland’s National Bird
You may already know that here in the Scottish highlands, we are famous for our Golden Eagles! As such, this mighty, powerful and enormous bird has become our unofficial national bird of Scotland. A majestical bird of prey found that can be seen often flying in the remote areas of the Scottish glens and Highlands. They signify Scotlands’s strength, wisdom and courage.
The Kilt, Our Tartans And National Dress
Whilst on holiday in the Highlands, you must go for a kilt fitting. Or even design your own tartan to take home! Our Scottish Kilt is a strong representation of our origins. The original Highland dress and traditional clothing of Scotland. Here you can see our true traditional Scottish clothing and how to put your kilt on. But to be a true Scot, it is said that you must not wear any underwear!
Modern Kilts
Today’s kilt can be seen below. Here our traditional Scottish outfit for men to wear on special occasions, such as Highland weddings, New Year’s Eve, black tie dinners and special events. If you fancy trying on our traditional Scottish dress you will need a tartan kilt, shirt, plaid, jacket, belt, sporran, sgian-dubh (pronounced “ski-an-doo”) and wool knee-socks. And for the ladies, we have tartan sashes, skirts and dresses.
Scotlands National Dish, Haggis
Come and join us for some delicious Scottish food! And you will be in for a treat as we are known as one of the best restaurants on the North Coast 500. So join us for lunch or dinner and try out our national dish of Haggis, Neeps and Tatties. Haggis is our national dish of Scotland. This is a Scottish meat pudding, made with minced sheep’s pluck, onion, oatmeal and spices, traditionally boiled in a sheep’s stomach. Traditionally served with neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes), we enjoy this Scot’s meal on Burns Night, in celebration of our national bard, Robert Burns.
Whisky, Our National Drink
And finally, you won’t have to look too far to find a wee dram of Scotland’s national drink, whisky (or known as Whiskey with an “e” to American. Snuggle up with a dram (a measure of whisky) in the library, or enjoy a whisky tasting from our vast range at the bar. An authentic Scotch whisky must be created and produced entirely here in Scotland and matured in oak casks for at least three years to be a proper Scots whisky.
In Halkirk, by Thurso, where our wee cosy Scottish hotel is based, we even used to have our own whisky distillery. Enjoy some old photos of Halk, Caithness here…
So, on your travels around Scotland, please do come and stay with us at the lovely Ulbster Arms Hotel by Thurso in Caithness. We offer cosy Scottish accommodation along with true Scottish hospitality, and the best of NC500 restaurants. And all on your way to the Orkney Ferry on the famous North Coast 500 route.