Can I use £5 Scottish Pound in the South?
Posted by Curious-Campaign1298@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 116 comments
[removed]
Posted by Curious-Campaign1298@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 116 comments
[removed]
Tuarangi@reddit
Businesses can accept or refuse any currency they want e.g. some in London will accept pounds and euros. Most places in England won't accept Scottish or NI notes no matter how many Scotsmen magically appear to say "it's legal tender" (which it isn't)
-adult-swim-@reddit
Legal tender is only relevant to debts, with shops they can refuse legal tender as you have no debt with them, the goods are exchanged upon receiving payment.
PabloMarmite@reddit
However with restaurants where you pay at the end it’s different, because there, you have created a debt.
Tuarangi@reddit
It isn't different - the definition of legal tender is for payment of court ordered debts e.g. where someone sues you over a debt and you are ordered to pay e.g. to avoid a CCJ you can offer legal tender and if they do not accept it, they cannot sue you again for non-payment. Eating in a restaurant does not create a debt in the sense legal tender is for, if you were in a card only business and tried to pay cash, the legal tender argument doesn't work as you don't have a debt in the sense the terminology is used.
As the BoE site makes clear, you cannot force a firm to accept a method of payment and further, as they say clearly, it's a narrow technical meaning that will rarely come up in everyday life - it's clear it's not applicable to something as common as eating in a restaurant
PabloMarmite@reddit
It’s a debt for enforcement purposes. What do you do if someone won’t pay in your preferred method?
BillWilberforce@reddit
In a scenario like failing to pay at a restaurant. You call the police.
Tuarangi@reddit
It's still not a debt for legal tender purposes, eating in a restaurant does not create a legal debt which is what legal tender is about. The BoE is very clear that it's not for ordinary day to day transactions like restaurants or fuel stations.
If they won't pay by card you report them to the police and ultimately sue them via small claims at which point they can pay cash, just it'll cost more due to the fees.
CrossCityLine@reddit
Nope also not correct, it’s why cash only pubs and restaurants exist.
So long as there are signs up/it’s obvious they’re cash only they are free to refuse physical currency if they wish.
PabloMarmite@reddit
A restaurant can announce that they only want to take cash, yeah. But there’s no method of enforcement after creating a debt, because the alternative is to take them to court, and the court enforcement is to pay the debt.
Ships are different because no debt is formed before purchase. Likewise it’s different if you pay before the meal. But by taking a meal with the agreement that you’ll pay for it, you’ve formed a legal debt.
CrossCityLine@reddit
Doesn’t matter, you can’t force a restaurant to take cash if they don’t want to.
PabloMarmite@reddit
A business can do whatever it likes, but if it legally can’t enforce it, it’s extremely dumb.
Tuarangi@reddit
Yes that's why I made the joke and added the caveat it's not
-adult-swim-@reddit
Ahh, didn't get the joke, sorry dude.
Tuarangi@reddit
No worries, Michael McIntyre is the most prominent comedian I've seen do the sketch on TV but it's been around forever as no-one understands what legal tender actually is!
armenianfink@reddit
It’s not even legal tender in Scotland
wongl888@reddit
Lmao “Scotsmen magically appear to say “it’s legal tender”.
sneaksby@reddit
Not true, they are 'legal currency', and most places will accept them, though they might faff about checking it if its a £20 (the most counterfeited £ amount) or higher.
Mudeford_minis@reddit
Shops in England are not compelled to accept Scottish notes anymore than Euros or Dollars in
sneaksby@reddit
But it is a legal currency in England, which neither Euros or Dollars are.
55caesar23@reddit
That’s irrelevant. They can accept or refuse whatever form of payment they want. If they want to be paid in AA batteries instead of £ Sterling they can do.
Tuarangi@reddit
I said legal tender not legal currency - it's a well known joke that shops refuse Scottish notes and a Scottish man pops up to say "I think you'll find it's legal tender". And no, shops do not have to accept them and I don't believe "most" will. We had some NI ones and even in M&S you had to pay a special customer services desk as the main tills won't accept
IndividualAd3764@reddit
Well known joke.
Tuarangi@reddit
Well known enough Michael McIntyre has even done it in a routine
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAjshQA2ms
Bacon4Lyf@reddit
They’re still not legal tender though
Scooob-e-dooo8158@reddit
Scottish and Northern Irish £5 notes are not legal tender in England and Wales. In fact, only Bank of England notes are legal tender in England.
However, they are still a legal currency backed by the pound sterling. While shopkeepers and businesses are not legally obligated to accept them and may occasionally refuse them due to unfamiliarity, they are often accepted at the recipient's discretion.
In other words, you are both right. Legal tender and legal currency are slightly different things.
Currency is any medium of exchange used to buy goods and services, such as paper banknotes, coins, or digital balances. Legal tender is a strict legal designation established by law; it dictates the specific form of currency that a creditor must legally accept to settle a debt.
The primary differences between the two concepts include:
Legal Obligation: All legal tender is currency, but not all currency is legal tender. If you offer legal tender to settle a pre-existing debt, the creditor cannot legally refuse it. If you offer general currency (like a foreign note or a personal cheque), the creditor is legally entitled to refuse it.
Everyday Transactions: In a normal shop or restaurant, merchants can typically choose which forms of payment to accept. While shops usually accept local currency, they can—within reason—refuse even legal tender (e.g., refusing a large £50 note) if no prior debt exists.
Regional Differences (UK): In the UK, Bank of England notes and Royal Mint coins are considered legal tender in England and Wales. Scottish and Northern Irish banknotes are considered legal currency (meaning they are recognized and widely accepted) but they do not technically have legal tender status anywhere in the UK.
And finally, yes I googled all of that. Gemini AI responded.
sneaksby@reddit
No, neither are English notes, only Royal Mint coins are.
paladino112@reddit
Bank of England notes are legal tender unless they have been withdrawn
sneaksby@reddit
No bank notes are legal tender (English, Scottish, or Northern Irish), only Royal Mint coins.
Tuarangi@reddit
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/explainers/what-is-legal-tender
BoE notes are legal tender in England & Wales as well as Royal Mint coins, but not in NI or Scotland
sneaksby@reddit
I did not know that, thank you.
BuncleCar@reddit
I don’t think shops have to accept legal tender, only banks and the government have to when you’re paying off debts.
Tuarangi@reddit
Correct on the shops - but legal tender is payment of any court ordered debt e,g, you could pay a bailiff in notes or even £1/£2 coins which they cannot refuse or they forfeit the right to sue over the debt
Scooob-e-dooo8158@reddit
Scottish and Northern Irish £5 notes are not legal tender in England and Wales. In fact, only Bank of England notes are legal tender in England.
However, they are still a legal currency backed by the pound sterling. While shopkeepers and businesses are not legally obligated to accept them and may occasionally refuse them due to unfamiliarity, they are often accepted at the recipient's discretion.
In other words, you are both right. Legal tender and legal currency are slightly different things.
Currency is any medium of exchange used to buy goods and services, such as paper banknotes, coins, or digital balances. Legal tender is a strict legal designation established by law; it dictates the specific form of currency that a creditor must legally accept to settle a debt.
The primary differences between the two concepts include:
Legal Obligation: All legal tender is currency, but not all currency is legal tender. If you offer legal tender to settle a pre-existing debt, the creditor cannot legally refuse it. If you offer general currency (like a foreign note or a personal cheque), the creditor is legally entitled to refuse it.
Everyday Transactions: In a normal shop or restaurant, merchants can typically choose which forms of payment to accept. While shops usually accept local currency, they can—within reason—refuse even legal tender (e.g., refusing a large £50 note) if no prior debt exists.
Regional Differences (UK): In the UK, Bank of England notes and Royal Mint coins are considered legal tender in England and Wales. Scottish and Northern Irish banknotes are considered legal currency (meaning they are recognized and widely accepted) but they do not technically have legal tender status anywhere in the UK.
And finally, yes I googled all of that. Gemini AI responded.
Remote-Pool7787@reddit
There’s no such thing as legal currency and they aren’t even legal tender in Scotland. Business can insist upon payment in any form they like. They can use jelly beans if they want
Revolutionary_Job878@reddit
You startin' pal? "ITS FUCKING LEGAL TENDER!!!!!! "
InfaSyn@reddit
Yes, however, most either dumb or young retail staff will wonder what the fuck it is and have to call their manager.
Source: Live on the south coast but previously worked for a scottish company, so our petty cash tin was full of them.
iiS4R4HxXx@reddit
I’ve taken Scottish cash before from my last retail jobs and I’m in wales, they may check them for counterfeit just to cover their asses
thorn312@reddit
You should be able to but some places will and do refuse to take it as they're not familiar with the currency and so aren't confident in knowing how to spot a fake. Bring a backup payment method just to be safe, my mother lives on one of the Scottish Isles and says it's luck of the draw.
BellamyRFC54@reddit
You can try
And its not legal tender
7alligator7@reddit
We only use them to snort drugs with
Furicist@reddit
Yes you can, I used to accept them but I've tried to spend them and get some confused looks, a few people declined them.
In all honesty, they're exceptionally rare. Only reason I was confident in taking them is because I had a Scottish workmate and he showed me them and explained what they were.
This was back when I was a teenager however and I've seen them maybe twice in the last 20 years in the north of England.
blueyonderbear@reddit
You can try, supposedly legal tender down there, but what you gonna do with a flat refusal. Arguing the toss will get you nowhere. Anyway cards are used everywhere.
steelcity91@reddit
Some businesses do, some don't. But you should be able to exchange them at any major banks.
Decard_Pain@reddit
It's legal tender, the issue is staff might not know how to check theyre real so might reject them.
Slyspy006@reddit
It is not legal tender.
Decard_Pain@reddit
Ok no money is, how about no money exists and you have to pay in solid gold only, can't use cards anymore it's not legal tender
Slyspy006@reddit
What a strange response.
Sufficient-Cold-9496@reddit
As with all banknotes and coins either Scottish or Welsh//English its not legal tender in England, a retailer can choose to accept or decline whatever payment method it choses, and if they decide not to accept payment using items that contain the number 5 or are blue, or use more than three coins then that would be their choice
The Bank of England Explains it here https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/explainers/what-is-legal-tender
"You might have heard someone in a shop say: ‘But it’s legal tender!’ Most people think this means the shop is obliged to accept the payment form. But that is not the case.
A shop owner can choose what to accept. If you want to pay for a pack of chewing gum with a £50 note, it is perfectly legal to turn you down. Likewise for all other banknotes, it is a matter of discretion. If your nearest corner shop decided to only accept payments in Pokémon cards, they would be within their rights to do so. But they would probably lose customers. "
Legal tender has a narrow technical meaning that will rarely come up in everyday life."
Decard_Pain@reddit
It's still legal tender, just because you can reject it doesn't change that fact.
To be fair a business could choose to take Euros or Dollars if they wanted.
Sufficient-Cold-9496@reddit
Its not Legal Tender, The Bank of England begs to differ and clearly states that it is not legal tender, as is clearly explained on the Bank of England site
"English banknotes are not legal tender in Scotland. Scottish notes are not legal tender in England or Scotland. Debit cards, cheques and contactless payments are not legal tender anywhere."
https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/explainers/what-is-legal-tender
LongjumpingMacaron11@reddit
It's not legal tender. No Scottish nates are - not even in Scotland.
And legal tender is irrelevant when discussing payment of cash in shops. It's only relevant to payment of debts.
rubmypineapple@reddit
Most people down south don’t see them often enough to know what’s real and what’s fake.
Doesn’t also help that 3 different banks produce their own versions too…
Plasticman328@reddit
I use them in self service tills. Easiest way to get rid of them.
badreligionlover@reddit
Not many will. Just luck really... I see more 'Do not accept Scottish notes' these days. Something to do with being easier to forge I think... (dont quote me on that though!).
Alundra828@reddit
You technically can. It's legal tender.
But whether it gets accepted is up to the establishment. They may just say "no". They may not even know what a Scottish note is. They may just not care.
ElevatorSilver4711@reddit
It’s not legal tender
Alundra828@reddit
Actually, you're right.
They're not technical legal tender, but they are legal currency. They are viewed as a promissory note. I'll update my post
wongl888@reddit
As a contract with a shop keeper, as opposed to a pre-existing debt, either party may strike the payment form which does not have to be a legal currency. For example the contract could stipulate 5 pounds of chicken meat in weight. Therefore shopkeepers can choose not to accept Scottish notes of any demonstrations or even £50 notes from the Bank of England. Similarly they can choose not to accept coins if they so wish.
dkk4440@reddit
Use them to buy fuel, you will already have what you need and it becomes the cashiers dilemma to refuse a reasonable offer of payment.
elf_n_safety@reddit
I wouldn’t chance it. I always just pay by card in England and save the hassle.
NoMortgage3467@reddit
What do you use as a card queen of hearts, cash is king.
elf_n_safety@reddit
Yeah, that cash is king bollocks hasn’t been true since contactless and smartphones became the norm
Radiant-Grape8812@reddit
Legally yes but some may refuse as a bakery near in my town centre banned Scottish 20s I think it was due to many fakes (I live north east England)
crowort@reddit
There was a load of fakes £20s going around in Scotland lately. Shops were being extra careful about checking them.
voluotuousaardvark@reddit
Scots fucking love this question.
Just gonna outside now and mumble ot under your breath and one will come running up to answer you.
Asleep_Equivalent920@reddit
It's legal tender
cloud__19@reddit
It's not even legal tender in Scotland.
wongl888@reddit
Surprisingly !!! TIL
Asleep_Equivalent920@reddit
Shut it
cloud__19@reddit
What a weird thing to get arsy about, hope the rest of your day improves!
LongjumpingMacaron11@reddit
It's absolutely not legal tender. Not even in Scotland.
Legal tender is irrelevant to spending cash on shops - it's only relevant to payment of debts.
cloud__19@reddit
I can practically hear my Dad revving up from here.
voluotuousaardvark@reddit
Think of it like the money python sketch with the running knight!
EliteKingChampion@reddit
Good luck.
Used a Scottish £20 in Gregg's once down South and got the usual puzzled looks and questions about what it was. A manager eventually came over and said it was fine for the cashier to take it.
Got an English note in my change so played the Uno reverse card and looked at it with bewilderment and asked what it was.
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
This is a common interaction I have as someone living in Scotland spending our notes down south.
The front line worker is likely to have not seen one before and mentally panics a bit. They then ask a supervisor or manager who approves it.
However, I know the regional manager for Marston's in NE Wales has outright banned their pubs from accepting Scottish notes alleging an increased rate of fraudulent notes. I have actually seen the email sent to one of the landlords (not because I was argumentative but I think he wanted to genuinely prove to me he wasn't making it up). I am highly sceptical of this claim. I would've thought an English £5/£10/£20 would be the most forged as they're least likely to attract attention anywhere in GB.
sc_BK@reddit
See if they take one of these, should be just enough to buy 2 bars of cadburys
90210fred@reddit
See how much chocolate you get with a Guernsey £1 note.
spoo4brains@reddit
But then you are left with Cadburys chocolate, that is less popular than Scottish bank notes south of the border.
sc_BK@reddit
The other option is fill the van with cheap alcohol, and smuggle it north over the border
CleverName4@reddit
With the recent inflation it really doesn't make sense to me as to why £100 notes aren't more culturally legitimized.
Desertinferno@reddit
Perhaps they would be if people still primarily used cash. Most people make large purchases through bank transfer or card payments.
Fit_Mastodon4166@reddit
If you mean England as the south then yes you can use your scottish notes here. But only until you get your independence
Caveman1214@reddit
Tesco take them. Some shops will, most won’t.
It angers me no end that the English won’t take Northern Irish/ Scottish notes when we take theirs
Academic-Jackfruit-2@reddit
Yeah that stupid monopoly money can be used in England
Any-Seaworthiness531@reddit
Yes, you can use British sterling anywhere in Britain.
joggersnipples@reddit
Yes but also good luck
DucksPlayFootball@reddit
Always thought it’s so pointless Scotland having their own currency.
Timely_Egg_6827@reddit
Cyldesdale is tricky from experience. I tend to use at stations and supermarkets. BOS and RBS much more accepted but can still be refused.
azlan121@reddit
Legally, yes
In practice, it depends, most big chains etc... won't bat much of an eye, but you might have trouble in a local newsagents or similar
wardyms@reddit
What did Steve Bruce do to get on the note?
SnooDonuts6494@reddit
You can. But in practice, lots of shop keepers don't recognise it and will refuse it.
You can always pop in to a bank or post office and swap it.
29407258729587348957@reddit
South Scotland, sure. South of Scotland - absolutely not.
Thin_Formal_3727@reddit
When you hand it to the cashier, you MUST say "that's legal tender". Thats the rule.
DTH2001@reddit
At which point someone will appear and point out that it’s not legal tender, and that the concept of legal tender doesn’t apply to buying stuff from shops
Thin_Formal_3727@reddit
Yeah, probably the manager. I dont make the rules, I just follow the process until I give in and tap my card.
SaltyName8341@reddit
And buy what? It's not enough for a pint
hdhxuxufxufufiffif@reddit
The OP wants to spend it at Tesco, but even if they did want to buy a pint that cost six or seven quid, there's such a thing as a pound coin that you can use alongside the fiver when necessary.
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
I live in Scotland and travel down south a reasonable amount.
I find most places will accept Scottish notes now but expect a bartender or cashier to call for a manager or supervisor to check it. They just don't see them often enough and panic a bit which is understandable I suppose.
A lot of self service checkouts in supermarkets will take them no problem.
morespin@reddit
It is legal tender
Lost-Explanation1215@reddit
Nope it isn't it's not even not even legal tender in Scotland, legal tender refers to payment of debts.
morespin@reddit
Really. Learn something new everyday. Thanks.
PolarLocalCallingSvc@reddit
A ottish bank notes are not legal tender, even in Scotland.
Legal tender also has a very specific meaning. It doesn't simply mean a shop has to take your money to buy a meal deal.
LongjumpingMacaron11@reddit
It's not legal tender. No Scottish nates are - not even in Scotland.
And legal tender is irrelevant when discussing payment of cash in shops. It's only relevant to payment of debts.
chaves4life@reddit
Yes but you might get a confused cashier
Delicious_Ad_2464@reddit
It’s still pound sterling so yeah your good, some places can be funny as they don’t see them to often, if it was a £50 probably not going to be able to use it as there to many fakes about.
TheLadyHelena@reddit
You can try, but don't expect anyone to understand what it is, or whether they can accept it from you.
Really, it's easier to pay by card, or withdraw some of the 'local currency' from an English cash machine.
Slyspy006@reddit
In theory, yes. In actual fact? Maybe.
NoMortgage3467@reddit
Yes you can nuff said.
dimap443@reddit
You will get funny looks
mackerel_slapper@reddit
Used to work in a hotel in Leeds. Coach parties from the south on their back from a week in the Glens used to break their journey. It was not unusual to get a Scottish note at the bar with the comment “Better spend this before we get back to England”.
RBisoldandtired@reddit
Tescos probably one of the places you’ll have no issue. Altho I once had an issue with a jobsworth in a London McDonald’s. Was like well either take the note or lose the sale and waste the food I really don’t care. Kfcs next door.
They took it and called me a prick lol
Maxxx1001@reddit
I used Northern Irish notes in the self scan machines and it took them.
SheikahSlate20@reddit
Yes of course however, it’s completely up to the shop and they can have any reason to deny it. As with all cash. Before anyone says “it’s legal tender” that’s not what legal tender means and ironically even Scottish notes aren’t even legal tender however, they are legal currency.
Specialist_Emu7274@reddit
You can, I lived in Kent and we had this guy who always had them. He lived in Kent so no idea why he had so many. The first time I saw them I assumed we couldn't accept them though, so you might get someone who doesn't know.
CrossCityLine@reddit
You can try, but nowhere has to accept them.
All self serve checkouts at supermarkets will take them no bother.
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