Fauna of Scotland
Only six amphibians and four land reptiles are native to Scotland. The amphibians include three species of newt: the great crested, of which fewer than 1,000 individuals survive; the smooth, and the palmate. The other amphibians are the common toad, the natterjack toad, found in only four locations in the south-west, and the common frog. A single alien amphibian is known in Scotland, the Alpine newt, a recent escapee confined to the Edinburgh area.
Salamanders in folklore
A newt is a type of salamander, and they are traditionally associated with witchcraft. In William Shakespeare's famous play "Macbeth", the witches use the "eye of newt" as the first ingredient stirred in their cauldron. However, the famous line in "Macbeth" is actually referring to a series of plants. Eye of newt refers to mustard, which reiterates the link between salamanders and fire as mustard seeds are used as a "fiery" spice.