Well I use them in 'the north' and have always been accepted

So ... yes

The expert is correct.

This is an old chestnut, and is based on the GBP's confusion between "legal currency" and "legal tender". "Legal tender" is a very specific legal term that only refers to methods legally guaranteed for the payment of debt - it doesn't affect general transactions. No UK&NI banknotes are legal tender other than Bank of England notes, but they can of course all still be used in shops.

As an aside; all UK coins below £1 are restricted as legal tender in that they can only be used for debts below certain amounts (so, for example, you can't pay a £200 bill with pennies...)

[I'm on my mobile ATM so can't post links, but you can read all about this on Wiki.]

10/10 for Eugene 

Thought it would last longer than two posts 

 Well you learn something every day 

As the Scottish banks are required by the Bank of England to hold Bank of England banknotes or gold equal to the value of Scottish banknotes they have issued they are generally accepted at banks in England.

Being Jockenese, I was aware of the details about Scottish notes in Eugene's post.

Moonie posted:

10/10 for Eugene 

 

Thought it would last longer than two posts 

Moonie posted:

10/10 for Eugene 

 

Thought it would last longer than two posts 

But it did in the end, didn't it?

Eugene's Lair posted:

Moonie posted:

10/10 for Eugene 

 

Thought it would last longer than two posts 

But it did in the end, didn't it?

Yep  

Moonie posted:

Eugene's Lair posted:

Moonie posted:

10/10 for Eugene 

 

Thought it would last longer than two posts 

But it did in the end, didn't it?

Yep  

Well I for one learnt something Moonie