Jim [wake wrote:
Scottish banknotes have been at par for well over 40 years
[originally
they were discounted at sixpence in the pound] but even now many
smaller
shops don't accept them, probably because of unfamiliarity.


The more likely reason is that some of the banks in England will not
accept them. I believe that some banks won't accept them at all
because they are not considered legal tender.

Most won't take them unless they are bundled separately from notes
issued by the Bank of England, and some banks charge their business
customers for handling them. They need to be kept separate in order
to ensure that they don't get mixed up with BoE notes that are issued
to businesses and used to replenish ATM cash machines and self-serve
supermarket tills.

Personal (as distinct from business) customers may find that their
bank will accept Scottish notes out of goodwill, but the best way to
get rid of them is to take them to a Post Office. You may get a less
than enthusiastic reception, because accounting for Scottish notes
has to be done separately and is something of a chore, but all Post
Offices are expected to take them.