2022-06-08 Wed

Banknotes of Scotland are the banknotes of the pound sterling that are issued by three Scottish retail banks and in circulation in Scotland. Scottish banknotes are unusual, first because they are issued by retail banks, not government central banks, and second, because they are technically not legal tender anywhere in the United Kingdom – not even in Scotland.

The above banknote is among the Ilay Series banknote which was first issued in the year 1987. The Illay serried banknote features on each note a picture of Lord Ilay who was the first governor of the bank. This picture is based on a portrait painted in 1744 by the Edinburgh artist Allan Ramsay.

The front of the notes also features an engraving of the bank's former headquarters in St Andrew Square, Edinburgh. The background graphic on both sides of the notes is a radial star design which is based on the ornate ceiling of the banking hall in the old headquarters building.

On the back of the notes are images of Scottish castles, with a different castle for each denomination. In this case, the note depicts Culzean Castle which is situated on the west coast of Scotland.

Image Courtesy: theibns.org