Exchanging left over British and Scottish Pounds
 

My husband, who's a pilot, has extra pounds from his trips last year. He's been 'transfered' from international flights (boo) to state-side, so he doens't need to keep the pounds.

I'm heading to Paris today and was wondering if I should exchange this money to euros at Dulles international or when I get to Paris?

Suggestions please?

Thanks!

Monica ((F))

Why not take a day trip to London and spend it there? The pound is really down against the euro right now. Seriously, I always prefer to exchange in the country of origin, so to speak, so I wouldn't change pounds to euros in the US.

London is in my plans for a trip someday, but probably not for a year or so. I can certainly hold on to it for now.

Monica ((F))

If you do it at Dulles you wil have to pay twice - pounds to $ and $ to euros. (The Bureau de change must use the local currency in each transaction.) It will be much cheaper to change in Paris.

Best advice is to keep the English pounds until you next visit. The Scottish pounds are worthless, not even legal currency if the truth be told, no use outside Scotland. Give them to grandchildren as novelty items, use them as bookmarks. Something like that.

If you're going to give advice stfc at least make it accurate. Monica you can use your Scottish notes in most places in the UK. If you have any problems take them into any bank and they'll exchange them for English ones.

Rubbish. English businesses run a mile from Scottish currency. Most will refuse it, and are entitled to do so.

Trade the pounds into euros at Paris for the best rate.

As for Scottish pounds, and Irish pounds, the "UK" is one nation divided into four countries. Banks issue their own wampum which is accepted everywhere on the islands.

Hi friends,

I left them at home. Found out my neighbor is going to London in June, so I'll sell them to him.

Monica ((F))

Your reply stfc flies in the face of my experience over the last 25 years doing business all over England. During which time I've had a scottish note refused only once. Of course you wil be so experienced with Scottish notes.

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/bankn...ther_notes.htm - seems the Bank of England regards Scottish and Northern Irish notes as legal tender.

http://www.bankofengland.co.uk/bankn...ut/faqs.htm#15

Well, actually, they don't.

But legal tender is neither here nor there with respect to using them in shops. Counter to stfc's post they are 'legal currency'.

I'm sorry but stfc is talking tosh. You can spend scottish money easily in England. Quite a few places won't take the £20 BoS note as there are so many fakes and English shop staff don't see enough of the real thing to spot the moody ones, but other than that, they're widely accepted (and if you're worried any British high street bank will swap themm for Bank of England notes for no charge - just go in the branch and see the cashier.).

As has been said, if you are going to bring them to Europe - change them into Euros at your destination where the staff will also take the jock money (or do indeed come on a day trip to London - currently selling for £59 return on Eurostar's website)

I have been visiting Scotland at least once a year for the past 40 years and have never had Scottish money refused anywhere in England.
There was a brief period when England dropped the pound note but it was retained in Scotland. For that brief period, I would just ask for my change in pound coins.

Funnily enough no notes are legal tender in Scotland, neither Scottish or English ones. Doesnt make a blind bit of difference to transactions though.

I bow to all your superior knowledges then. However in the several decades since I first encountered Scottish notes I have found that they are as welcome as a fart in a lift here in England and I avoid bringing them home whenever I go to Scotland.

A family member who runs a pub in London will not accept them, or Irish ones - company policy - due to the forgery problem, and because they cannot be given back out as change and so need extra handling.

A family member who runs a pub in London will not accept them, or Irish ones - company policy - due to the forgery problem, and because they cannot be given back out as change and so need extra handling.>>>

As i said - there are a lot of sextons around. But usually averice overcomes wariness.

ps You can't spend N Irish notes anywhere. They REALLY aren't wanted (fakes, terrorism, that massive robbery etc etc etc).

Any business can refuse any currency they want depending on their prejudices, as long as its not for a preexisting debt.
All UK banks accept Scottish notes.

Ah, sexton. Gotcha. I'll tell him to watch out for sextons.

zippo, it isn't prejudice, it's business sense. I like Scotland, been there lots, but Scottish money is a nuisance at home.