The Royal Bank of Scotland £20 note facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Twenty pounds

(United Kingdom)
Value	£20 sterling
Width	139 mm
Height	73 mm
Security features	Raised print, metallic thread, watermark, microlettering, see-through registration device, UV feature
Paper type	Polymer
Years of printing	1727–present 2020–present (current design)
Obverse
Design	Catherine Cranston
Design date	2020
Reverse
Design	Red Squirrels
Design date	2020

The Royal Bank of Scotland £20 note is a special kind of money note used in the United Kingdom. It's made by The Royal Bank of Scotland. This £20 note is the third biggest value note that the bank prints. The newest version, made of a plastic material called polymer, came out in 2020. On the front, it shows a picture of Catherine Cranston. On the back, you can see two cute Red Squirrels.

History of the £20 Note

The Royal Bank of Scotland started making £20 notes a very long time ago, in 1727. This was the same year the bank first opened! The first notes were quite simple. They were only one color and printed on just one side.

Rules for Scottish Money

For many years, there have been rules about how Scottish banks print money. A law from 1845 helped control this. Later, a new law in 2009 took its place. Even though Scottish banknotes are not officially "legal tender" everywhere in Scotland, they are still real money. People generally accept them all over the United Kingdom. It's good to know that Scottish banknotes are fully "backed." This means they are just as safe and valuable as notes made by the Bank of England.

The Ilay Series Notes

In 1987, a new design of banknotes, called the Ilay series, was introduced. These notes had a picture of Lord Ilay on the front. He was the very first governor of the bank. You could also see his picture as a watermark when you held the note up to the light.

Other cool designs on the Ilay notes included the bank's special symbol and logo. There was also a picture of Dundas House, which is the bank's main building in Edinburgh. A pattern on the notes looked like the ceiling inside the bank's main hall. On the back of all the Ilay series notes, there was a picture of a castle. The £20 note in this series showed a picture of Brodick Castle.

The New Polymer Note

On March 5, 2020, a brand new £20 note was released. This new note is made from a special plastic material called polymer, which makes it more durable. This new design features Catherine Cranston on the front. She was a famous person who started many popular tea rooms. This new note replaced the older Ilay series £20 note.

Designs of the £20 Note

Here's a quick look at the different designs of the Royal Bank of Scotland £20 note: