| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Value | £5 sterling |
| Width | 125 mm |
| Height | 65 mm |
| Security features | See-through window, raised print, security thread, image transition, UV fluorescence, microlettering[1] |
| Material used | Polymer |
| Years of printing | 1727–present 1987–present (current design) |
| Obverse | |
 | |
| Design | Nan Shepherd |
| Design date | 2016 |
| Reverse | |
 | |
| Design | Twomackerel |
| Design date | 2016 |
The Royal Bank of Scotland £5 note, also known as afiver, is asterlingbanknote. It is the second smallest denomination of banknote issued byThe Royal Bank of Scotland. The currentpolymer note, first issued in 2016, bears an image of authorNan Shepherd on the obverse and a pair ofmackerel on the reverse.
The Royal Bank of Scotland began issuing £5 notes in 1727, the same year as the bank's founding. Early banknotes were monochrome, and printed on one side only. The issuing of banknotes by Scottish banks was regulated by theBanknote (Scotland) Act 1845 until it was superseded by theBanking Act 2009.[2] Though strictly notlegal tender in Scotland, Scottish banknotes are nevertheless legal currency and are generally accepted throughout theUnited Kingdom. Scottish banknotes are fully backed such that holders have the same level of protection as those holding genuineBank of England notes.[3] The £5 note is currently the second smallest denomination of banknote issued by The Royal Bank of Scotland.[4]
Scottish banknotes are not withdrawn in the same manner as Bank of England notes, and therefore several different versions of the Royal Bank of Scotland five pound note may be encountered,[5] although the Committee of Scottish Bankers encouraged the public to spend or exchange older, non-polymer five pound notes before 1 March 2018.[6]
The Ilay series of banknotes was first issued in 1987.[7] These banknotes feature a portrait ofLord Ilay, first governor of the bank, on the front. Lord Ilay's image is also used as a watermark on the notes. Other design elements include the bank's coat of arms and logo, the facade ofDundas House, the bank's headquarters in Edinburgh, and a pattern representing the ceiling of the headquarters' banking hall. All of the Ilay series notes feature a castle on the back. On the reverse of the £5 note is an image ofCulzean Castle. Other versions of the £5 note have been produced since the introduction of the Ilay series to commemorate certain events, including theQueen's Golden Jubilee, the 250th anniversary of theRoyal and Ancient Golf Club, the 400th anniversary of theRoyal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and a celebration of the career of American golferJack Nicklaus.[8]
In 2015 it was announced that a newpolymer £5 note would be issued in the second half of 2016.[9] The new design was unveiled in April 2016, and features a portrait of authorNan Shepherd on the front.[10] Alongside the portrait is an image of theCairngorms, as well as a quote from Shepherd's bookThe Living Mountain. The rear of the note bears an image of twomackerel alongside an excerpt fromSorley MacLean's poemThe Choice.[10]
| Note | First issued | Colour | Size | Design | Additional information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ilay | 1987 | Blue | 135 × 70 mm | Front: Lord Ilay; Back: Culzen Castle | |
| Polymer | 2016 | Blue | 125 × 65 mm | Front: Nan Shepherd; Back: Two mackerel |
Information taken from The Committee of Scottish Bankers website.[4]
