10 Scottish world records you probably didn’t know

Scotland is packed full of talent, from piercings to sausage-makers there’s no limit to what we can do. Take a look at 10 whacky and wonderful world records from right here in bonnie Scotland.

LONGEST HAIR FOR DOMESTIC CATTLE BREED

The iconic Highland cow holds the record for the longest haired domestic cattle in the world. The beloved beasts have an average hair length of 35cm when measured from the fringe. Anyone who has ever experienced having a long fringe will be curious to find out how they manage those long locks.


THE MOST PEOPLE TOSSING CABERS SIMULTANEOUSLY

Highland Cow

Caber tossing is such a stereotypical Scottish pastime that it may as well be mandatory for anyone taking part to wear a kilt. It’s only right then that Scotland would hold the world record for the most people tossing cabers simultaneously. Over 160 throwers from 14 countries took part in the toss to set a new world record. In all, 66 cabers were successfuly thrown at Bught Park, Inverness during the attempt which was organised by the Highland Council.

LARGEST HORSE HEAD SCULPTURES IN THE WORLD

At 100ft tall The Kelpies in Falkirk were awarded the largest horse-head sculptures in the world and were designed as a tribute to the tradition of working horses. The project took nearly eight years to plan, but was well worth the effort, attracting thousands of visitors each year and nabbing another Guinness World Record for Scotland.

THE LARGEST HIGHLAND DANCE

Another record that just has to be held by Scots, the world record for the largest Highland dance was set by 1,453 participants from five schools in the Nairn region. The participants danced the Dashing White Sergeant at the Nairn Associated Schools Group to celebrate the Highland Year of Culture 2007 at Nairn Links. The sport can get quite competitive with millions of dancers taking part from across the world.

THE OLDEST OPERATING SCOTCH WHISKY DISTILLERY

The Strathisla Distillery in Keith, Banffshire which was founded in 1786 was given the Guinness world record for the oldest operating scotch whisky distillery. This 229-year-old distillery is still going strong and welcomes visitors.

MOST PIERCINGS IN A LIFETIME

Elaine Davidson, 50, who now works as a nurse in Edinburgh, received the award for most piercings in 2006 with 462 piercings and 192 in her face alone. It’s now reported that she has over 9000 piercings, the majority of which are in her genitalia. Ms Davidson was quoted as saying that she doesn’t actually like getting pierced but just simply wants to break the world record. There are less painful ways to break a world record, surely?

THE OLDEST SURVIVING REAL TENNIS COURT

Located at Falkland Palace, Fife is the oldest surviving real tennis court which was originally designed for James V of Scotland between 1539 and 1541.

MOST SAUSAGES PRODUCED IN ONE MINUTE

Sausage maestro Alastair Paul produced 36 sausages in one minute - that’s over 2000 an hour! Mr Paul is from A & I Quality Butcher and produced his heap of sausages at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh this year.

FASTEST HATTRICK IN FOOTBALL

The fastest recorded time to score three goals is by by Tommy Ross for Ross County against Nairn County at Dingwall on 28 November 1964, who bagged a hattirck in just 90 seconds.

YOUNGEST SNOOKER WORLD CHAMPION

Stephen Hendry from Scotland became the youngest World Professional champion, at just 21 years and 106 days old on 29 April 1990. He went on to win another seven world championships and was made an MBE in 1994.