Various Pokémon species have designs inspired by Scottish animals and folklore, according to a roundup by the Daily Record. The franchise, which has sold hundreds of millions of copies worldwide, features over 1,000 different creatures, some of which bear a striking resemblance to Scottish counterparts, while others are influenced by Scottish legends and history.
Pokémon based on Scottish animals
Herdier, a dog-like Pokémon with brown and cream fur and perked ears, is specifically based on Scottish Terriers, visible in its ears and fluffy moustache, with elements of Yorkshire Terriers in its dark coat. Mudsdale, a horse-like Pokémon, is based on the Clydesdale draught horse from Scotland, with its name combining 'mud' and 'Clydesdale'.
Pokémon inspired by Scottish folklore
Galarian Rapidash, known as the 'Unique Horn Pokémon', is based on Scotland's national animal, the unicorn, and appears in the fictional Crown Tundra region based on Scotland. Spectrier, a ghost-type Pokémon, resembles a kelpie, an evil shape-shifting water spirit from Scottish mythology.
Lapras, a water-type Pokémon, resembles the Loch Ness Monster, and its original English name before its 1998 debut was Ness. Calyrex, a powerful Pokémon, has a silhouette resembling a thistle, Scotland's national flower, and its status as the 'King Pokémon' evokes Scotland's heritage of ancient monarchs and castles.
