Scottish Places with Links to Spain
We offer a list and a brief description of some Scottish locations connected to Spain’s history.
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This interactive map will help you locate the places described: to open it and find out where each place is, simply click on the map.
Prehistory: Celtic Traces from the Iberian Peninsula in Scotland
A shared legacy from Atlantic prehistory.
Recent archaeological and genetic studies suggest that the Celtic peoples of the British Isles, including Scotland, share roots with Celtic communities across the Iberian Peninsula—roots that have endured to this day, especially in the northwest of the Peninsula, notably in Galicia and Asturias:
- Atlantic genetics: Research by scholars such as Professor Bryan Sykes (Oxford) indicates that a significant part of Scotland’s population descends from Iberian fishermen who migrated northwards over 6,000 years ago.
- Castro culture: The circular hillforts (castros) of northern Spain bear striking similarities to Celtic settlements found in Scotland and Ireland.
- Living traditions: The music of Galician and Asturian bagpipes, local festivals, and myths of meigas (witches) and bruxos (sorcerers) echo the folklore of the Scottish Highlands.
- Symbols and art: Motifs such as spirals, knots, and stone boars (verracos) appear in both Galicia and Scotland, reflecting a shared Celtic aesthetic.
- Atlantic route: It is believed that a maritime network of exchange existed between Galicia, Brittany, Ireland, and Scotland as early as the Bronze Age.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh has long been a key meeting point between Scotland and Spain. This visual guide explores the city’s streets through a Spanish-Scottish lens: early diplomacy, shared solidarity, Baroque art, and architecture with a Mediterranean soul.
Through a series of emblematic landmarks, we’ll discover how both cultures intertwine in stone, paper, and paint. Each site evokes a fragment of history (from the letters of Pedro de Ayala, the first Castilian ambassador to Scotland, to the contemporary lines of Enric Miralles in the Scottish Parliament).
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EDINBURGH.pdf
Glasgow
Known for its industrial and cultural past, Glasgow has also maintained ties with Spain. From trade along the River Clyde to welcoming Republican exiles, the city reflects a shared history.
Its university, neighbourhoods, and street art reveal how Scotland and Spain have connected beyond politics.
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GLASGOW.pdf
Rest of Scotland
Beyond the major cities, many Scottish regions preserve traces of an ancient connection with the Iberian Peninsula. In villages, along the coasts, and through local traditions, one can sense shared Celtic influences, especially with Galicia and Asturias. This guide highlights places where that common heritage is still alive.
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REST OF SCOTLAND.pdf