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Knockdow House is an exquisite Georgian property nestled in the foothills of ‘Argyll’s Secret Coast,’ a remote and hidden part of the world far from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Knockdow House has a rich history dating back many hundreds of years. It originally belonged to Clan Lamont, and was ruled by a Laird of Knockdow. It has retained the traditional elements of a Georgian property, and maintains a historic look and feel.

Like Knockdow House, Scotland also has a rich history that not everybody knows about.

Here are 5 fascinating facts about Scotland that may just surprise you! 

  1. The national animal of Scotland is the unicorn

Even though the unicorn doesn’t actually exist (or does it?) it is the nation’s animal symbol. This is to represent the many rare and unique species that are indigenous to the region, including the red deer, Rhum mouse, the Soay wild sheep and the birds of St. Kilda. The Highlands are also home to the Highland Cow, famed for its distinctive giant horns. Scotland is also famous for the Loch Ness Monster, a creature which is rumoured to inhabit Loch Ness. 

  • Many locals prefer to speak Gaelic

Scotland is a land deeply tied to its traditions, and many people prefer to speak Gaelic and Scottish, instead of English. The 2011 census found that Gaelic is now spoken by approximately 57,000 people, mostly in the Outer Hebrides islands. It is an Indo-European language that bears no resemblance to English, as its origins can be traced back to the ancient Celtic people.

In the Lowlands there are more people who prefer to speak Scottish, which is more like English since it has Germanic roots.

  • Edinburgh is spread over seven hills

Just like Rome, Edinburgh is spread over seven hills. The streets are notoriously hilly – but easy to navigate through. The easiest way to take in the sights of the city is with a bus tour, where you’ll get to soak in the sights of the famous Edinburgh Castle, along with countless other historic buildings.

  • Kilts and Whiskey were not invented in Scotland!

Scotland is typically associated with kilts and whiskey, but in actual fact, the kilt originates from Ireland, bagpipes are from Central Asia, and whiskey was invented in China!

  • Many Scottish surnames begin with “Mac”

Many Scottish surnames have the prefix “Mac” meaning “son of” in Gaelic. This dates back to the clan tradition which indicated family membership.

As you can see, there is more to Scotland than meets the eye! This is a fascinating destination that is certainly worth visiting!