I  have been asked several times if Scottish notes are legal tender. Are they acceptable in shops in England? Good question. Legal tender means that coins and/or paper money can be used to pay a legal debt and if offered for the exact amount, cannot be refused. ‘Legal Currency’ means that notes or coins have been legally issued and may be accepted if offered but there is no legal compulsion to do so. All Scottish notes are ‘legal currency’ but not ‘legal tender’.