Why are cats called Scottish? - briefly
Cats are not typically referred to as "Scottish," but there is a specific breed known as the Scottish Fold. This name originates from the distinctive ear fold that sets this breed apart, with the first cats displaying this trait being discovered in Scotland.
Why are cats called Scottish? - in detail
The term "Scottish Fold" refers to a unique breed of cat characterized by its distinctive ear cartilage, which gives the ears a rounded, forward-folding appearance, resembling the shape of an owl's head. This characteristic is the result of a spontaneous mutation that affects the cartilage in their ears, causing them to fold down and forward. The breed originated from a single cat named Susie, who was discovered on a farm in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1961. She possessed the distinctive folded ear trait, which caught the attention of local farmers and eventually led to her being bred with American Shorthairs and British Shorthairs to establish the Scottish Fold breed. The name "Scottish Fold" reflects the breed's Scottish origins and their most defining physical feature—the unique fold in their ears.