The Boyd Family Collection of Scottish Banknotes

Foreword

As a youngster in London, I had no real need for money because my Scottish parents took care of everything. However, my father died when I was 12 so my mother, sister, and I moved to Scotland. I was sent to the local Co-op to buy the “messages” (groceries) and was introduced to the various Scottish banknotes. Money in the family was always exceedingly tight, but we survived. I even had to cycle seven miles to and from work each day!

I qualified as a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland in 1966, and shortly thereafter married Aileen in 1968. In 1971 and 1974 respectively, my son Neil and daughter Jillian were born. Our close-knit family prospered over the years, enjoying the many holidays at home and abroad, let alone our individual hobbies.

In 1988, the English £1 note was withdrawn from circulation and I came across four British Linen Bank £1 notes and thought I would start a collection of Scottish £1 notes before they too were withdrawn and replaced by a coin. With family support, I accumulated more notes which were always destined for any grandchildren that might form part of the extended family unit.

A decrepit National Bank of Scotland £1 note from a collector in the Isle of Skye led to an extensive collection of their notes. In parallel, I managed to collect every issued serial number prefix of notes from the National Commercial Bank of Scotland, plus some unissued notes to make a complete collection of their notes as well. Many an individual note in my collection could have its own story, but these are personal and probably of no interest to readers of this foreword.

Unfortunately, Aileen died in July 2009 and, as agreed, on my 70th birthday in 2012 the entire collection was transferred to my son to be held in trust for the four grandchildren, all of whom had lovingly known their Grannie as infants. At least I am still alive to see them benefit from my years of collecting the banknotes of Scotland.

I sincerely hope that you, the purchaser of any of the notes, will enjoy the addition to your own collection as much as I have done over the years.
James Boyd