Lions in Scotland??

[Archangel]

So I'm pondering the name of the Scottish Lion catalog. Then got to wondering how lions became part of Scottish heraldry.

I'm no biologist but I don't think lions ever roamed free in Scotland. And I don't recall any big market for ancient Scots going on African safaris to hunt lions.

How did the Scots even know about lions? Did the invading Romans bring them along?

Just curious...seems kind of like having a Native Alaskan flag or crest with a palm tree on it.

Enlightenment appreciated.

Ron

The heraldry question has been well covered.

As far as native lions, there were big cats but not big like lions.

There was a dark ages trade in exotic animals and you can read about animals showing up as prizes in remote places. Just like today.

It may be that lions were kept in the Edinburgh castle but I'd like to see better historical evidence for it.