folklore
| Mythical creatures
A MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR Want to know where you can see a unicorn in Scotland or come face-to-face with a selkie? Let us lead the way… Words by JANICE HOPPER
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© PETER ALVEY/ROB CRANDALL/ALAMY/RICHARD BRYANT/VISIT SCOTLAND/PAUL TOMKINS
cotland is a land of myths and legends, shape-shifting creatures and cautionary tales. These stories have enraptured listeners young and old for centuries, drawing people close around the fireside with fear, passion and wonder in their eyes. The pull of these tales is still strong today, and you can take a journey around Scotland to discover these wondrous beasts, great and small, rooted in mythology.
UNICORNS A prominent place to begin a tour of Scotland’s mythical creatures is with the unicorn, adopted as Scotland’s national animal in the 15th century. The concept of the unicorn dates back to roughly 400 BC in India. Over time the unicorn became associated with speed, magical properties, purity, and its horn was said to protect from poison. Those who sought and ‘found’ the unicorn include Marco Polo and his encounter with Javan Rhinoceroses in Sumatra, and the western discovery of Okapi in the Congo. The beast captivated Scotland and when European kings began incorporating exotic beasts into their coats of arms, James I opted for a striking unicorn. Perhaps the animal’s fierce sense of independence and the challenge of snaring and taming the creature struck a chord. Legend has it that only a
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