Scottish currency

In most countries of the world the production of banknotes is handled by a single central bank, but in Scotland, three retail banks have the right to issue their own sterling banknotes. These have exactly the same value as Bank of England notes and are the recognised Scottish currency. However they are not actually 'legal tender' in the same sense that neither cheques nor credit cards are - their acceptability is essentially a matter for agreement between the parties involved. The notes are usually fine in other parts of the UK, but abroad there could be a problem.

The dour-looking (Scottish for grumpy-looking) character on this Clydesdale Bank £20 note is King Robert the Bruce. He became one of Scotland's greatest kings, and was the most famous warrior of his generation, eventually leading Scotland during the Wars of Scottish Independence against the English. Bruce secured Scottish independence at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Next year the Scots are having not a battle, but a referendum to decide whether we want to be a completely separate country again. It is going to be a war of words!