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Unable to spend Scottish money in England

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I've just returned from a short holiday in Scotland to see my family and I have brought back with me a pocket full of Scottish currency.  If you've ever tried to spend Scottish money in England you will probably be in a good position to understand my gripe.

The problem is the funny looks you get from the cashier at the supermarket, or from the guy behind the bar when you hand over your Scottish notes.  More often than not, they hold it up to the light to check the watermark or scan it with a UV light, probably because they assume that its a counterfeit and you are trying to rip them off.  The way they treat you almost makes you feel like a criminal.  Why is it so difficult to accept that a Scottish bank note is actually still 'good money' in England?

It's actually really embarrassing, especially if you are standing in a long queue at the supermarket and it happens to be really busy that day.  I know its quite irrational, but sometimes I actually dig into the wallet to see if I can find some English money to use instead so that I don't have to put up with all the hassle.  Scottish money is every bit as good as the English equivalent and although no one has actually refused to take it, theres always that doubt in your mind.  The thought that your cash might be refused just makes it a bit of an awkward situation

Hey John, are we still accepting this Scotch money?

Staff that handle money probably ought to be better trained.  Although they don't see a Scottish bank note on most days, they should be able to easily recognize them for what they are valid UK currency!

Royal Bank of Scotland - Pount note Perhaps they could also be shown how to handle the situation with a little bit more care and sensitivity at the same time.  Yelling out to their supervisor down on isle nine "Hey John, are we still accepting this Scotch money? isn't exactly what I'd call subtle.  So many times I've been so tempted to reply "Careful with that there lassie, I've just printed it for ye and the ink will be wet..."  Fortunately though, good sense usually prevails and I wait there patiently whilst the supervisor wanders up to verify that money is okay.

Not everyone is quite so offish about our "funny money".  In fact, the landlord at my local pub is quite a sport and I always make sure that I bring at least a few Scottish fivers for him!  I know he loves to make that extra trip to the bank to change them!!!

Hey, It could be a whole lot worse though remember the old pound notes?  Some of them are actually still in circulation in Scotland but they can't be used south of the border anymore.

Probably just as well because youd need a sack full of them to buy a pint of beer at our local but thats another story!


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Richjock

Richjock

Told by Barclays Bank Huntingdon won't change Scottish notes if not a customer,bizarre
05/07/16 Richjock
0
Dead and Buried

Dead and Buried

well, sh1t. 45% of people in Scotland must feel they would rather move out of the country. This is a no-win situation.
19/09/14 Dead and Buried
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Jethro

Jethro

45% of the Scottish electorate will now be feeling totally betrayed by the Con/Lab/Lib parties. This will now open the door for UKIP, following the trend with voting in England. This result only shows still further the unrest in the UK.
19/09/14 Jethro
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Jethro

Jethro

Good morning WE, I see the headaches are still waking you through the night. My view on your condition is that you are suffering with extreme stress and anger, and until you find some form of peace, your health will deteriorate still further. I hope you feel better soon.
19/09/14 Jethro
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Work ethic

Work ethic

Jethro you little prick, have you finally grown a pair and bitten your master's hand (Boblet)? Somehow I rather doubt it.
19/09/14 Work ethic
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Zanni

Zanni

I think the no vote is likely to win Jethro and we will not wake up to an independent Scotlan tomorrow, though I totally understand the wish for autonomy. Who doesn't want more control over their lives and country? The English certainly would...

Why do you think the Queen would no longer own Balmoral? Are they planning to confiscate "foreigners" property there?

I know - you were just joking.

Z
18/09/14 Zanni
0
Jethro

Jethro

There's not going to be an inderpendent Scotland. The country will still be part of the United Kingdom tomorrow. If you all think that the system will allow the Jocks to break away, think again. The real power in England is money, and there's too much of it up there in oil. Plus, you can't be having the Queen paying rent for Balmoral now can you.
18/09/14 Jethro
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Zanni

Zanni

There has been a worrying level of bullying and intimidation of the “Better Together” campaigners in Scotland. “No” posters are ripped down, shop keepers told they will be boycotted if they don’t change their minds, cars keyed if they are displaying “No” stickers. “Vote yes or else” was daubed on walls by polling stations and left uncovered by the authorities who could sure have put a an inoffensive poster over it.

A partially sighted pensioner ( carrying a white cane) was punched in the face when he was talking to to two men and, when asked, said he was voting against independence. Bravehearts indeed , to punch in the face an old, nearly blind man.

There are thuggish people in every country, but what does not bode well for Scotland’s future is that Alex Salmond has consistently refused to condemn any violence or intimidation committed by his followers during the campaign.
18/09/14 Zanni
0
Dave

Dave

legal tender or not, I don't care. All I know is that scottish banknotes smell of haggis and sheep poo. I refuse to accept them in my corner shop.
10/07/14 Dave
0
YesVote

YesVote

Digity - you are wrong Scottish currency isn't legal currency in the UK.
There is a gentlemen’s agreement between the Bank of England and the Scottish banks to accept a 1 for 1 exchange of Scottish currency.
But businesses South of the border cannot be forced to accept them.
Search the Government sites for the truth about the Scottish pound if you don’t believe me.
18/06/14 YesVote
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boblet

boblet

"The real meaning of worthless"
Put your money where you mouth is, troll. Will you buy mine?
18/06/14 boblet
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The real meaning of worthless

The real meaning of worthless

Have you got rid of your Scotch notes yet? Hurry up if you haven't. Let there be a run on the Scottish Banks. Scotch notes are worthless.
18/06/14 The real meaning of worthless
0
Real Money

Real Money

There used to be a proper government-independent currency in the UK, where the coins used to have real and independent value: Gold Sovereigns and Sterling Silver Shillings. Legal tender was irrelevant. You paid for services and goods with monies that had real value. THIS CURRENCY WAS ACCEPTED WORLD WIDE.

Bank of England notes were exchangeable for this real currency.
11/06/14 Real Money
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digity

digity

Banknotes issued by the authorised banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland are legal currency and can be accepted throughout the United Kingdom.
They are authorised and approved by the UK Parliament, a position that was established by legislation as long ago as 1845 and has been reinforced more recently by Part 6 of the Banking Act 2009
10/06/14 digity
0
1000 000 000 000 pounds

1000 000 000 000 pounds

I am looking forward to a 75% devaluation in the Scottish currency. I might actually want to spend a holiday there. I am looking forward to being able to trade my English pound on the black market on the street for an exchange rate of 5 Scotch Pounds to 1 English one. Just watch the scotch pound gather hundreds of zeroes on the notes.
https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR4jG8wWHkYRFKTbEL1xd3ozLAfnzbyKVBzNfYYKeLAxl1kFV4slw
02/06/14 1000 000 000 000 pounds
0

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