One in three don't think the Scottish pound is acceptable in England… and two-fifths have visited a country without knowing its currency

By Rachel Rickard Straus

PUBLISHED: 08:00 EST, 15 November 2012 | UPDATED: 10:15 EST, 15 November 2012

They are valid for purchases across the country and share the same value as any other British notes.

Yet 35 per cent of Britons do not think that the Scottish pound is acceptable for payments in England, according to a new study.

Three banks in Scotland are authorised to issue notes, all of which are likely to be familiar to people across the UK: Bank of Scotland, Clydesdale Bank and Royal Bank of Scotland.

Confusion: More than a third of Britons did not realise the Scottish pound could be used in England

Confusion: More than a third of Britons did not realise the Scottish pound could be used in England

However the survey of 2,091 people across the UK by foreign currency trading website www.forexcurrency.us found that many do not realise the notes are valid outside Scotland.

Scottish and Northern Ireland notes can be used in England and Wales if both parties involved agree, according to the Bank of England

The survey also revealed other - although perhaps less surprising - gaps in many people’s knowledge of currencies.

 

More...

When asked ‘what is a Panamanian Balboa?’, the majority – 57 per cent – thought it was a type of tree, while just 32 per cent guessed correctly it is the currency of Panama.

Those polled were then asked what they thought a Pa’anga was, to which 61 per cent thought it was a type of dance. Just 12 per cent of respondents identified it correctly as the Tongan unit of currency.

Not a dance: Just 12 per cent of those polled correctly guessed that the Pa'anga is the Tongan unit of currency

Not a dance: Just 12 per cent of those polled correctly guessed that the Pa'anga is the Tongan unit of currency

When asked what they thought a Quetzal was, just 19 per cent thought, correctly, that it was the Guatemalan unit of currency. Meanwhile 43 per cent of respondents thought it was a bird, while 17 per cent thought it was a 'traditional dress'. A fifth of respondents, 20 per cent, thought it was a 'salted dough snack.'

While it is perhaps not surprising that many participants were not aware of these more obscure currencies, 41 per cent revealed they had visited a country where they did not know what the currency was.

Take note: Just 32 per cent of respondents knew the Panamanian Balboa was a currency

Take note: Just 32 per cent of respondents knew the Panamanian Balboa was a currency

A quarter said they had had to look up the country’s currency after arriving at the destination.

David Errington of forexcurrency.us, said: 'We'd always recommend clueing yourself up on currency before you go abroad.

'Leaving it until you're there is never the best idea, and shopping around for the best exchange rates before you go is the only way to ensure that you are getting the best value for money.’

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, the Quetzal is actually the Guatemalan currency (although 43 per cent of respondents did think it was a bird)

Is it a bird, is it a plane? No, the Quetzal is actually the Guatemalan currency (although 43 per cent of respondents did think it was a bird)


 
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That Guatemalan Quetzal DOES happen to be a bird AS WELL as the country's monetary unit. Some people need to do their homework, it seems.

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Any currency is acceptable anywhere, but only the English pound is legal tender and cannot be refused in England. To be honest, I'd like to see some Welsh currency being produced that is also legal tender here in England.

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Just try to exchange Scottish notes here in Thailand. If they are actually accepted, (90% of Banks and exchange booths will not), you will lose another 10% on the official exchange rate.

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Bring back the Groat.

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I have used a Scottish pound note recently.

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but the scottish pound note and five pound note are not legal tender as they are issued on trust so can be refused.

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Running out of bash the scots stories are we DM?

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It is not only south of the border. You try on the continent or further a field. It is a no no. I know, I have been in trouble a few times with Scottish money.

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When visiting my brother-in-law in the dark depths of England, I refuse to take English money with me, I take great delight in going for a meal and when I attemp to pay the bill with Scottish money and seeing the look on the face of the staff. I've had 2 free meals after staff refused to take my money, their loss. I've not had any free diesel yet but I keep hoping and trying.

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In the forty years I have lived in England I have only once had a Scottish bank note refused.........and that was about 39 years ago. I frequently bring them from Scotland when I visit family.

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