England and Scotland have some of the strangest laws out there. While some of these laws may seem outdated, they are still technically in the books. So, if you are planning a trip to one of these places, you should inquire in advance about your local laws. And as always, respect the customs and cultures of your host country. Scottish law has long been a debated issue in many forms, from passing important legislation to asking for more up-to-date regulations – but some laws are simply strange. Many bizarre laws that date back centuries are technically still in law books today; It is illegal to hoist things like Scotland`s second unofficial flag or to be drunk while caring for a cow. Under Scottish law, it is illegal for boys under the age of ten to see a nude model in a store. This is one of the darkest laws on this list, because who is responsible? In Scotland, it is illegal for a boy under the age of ten to see a nude model. This is an obscure but amusing derivation of laws that prevent the corruption of minors, although it is not clear who is responsible if this happens: the parents, the company or perhaps the model? Needless to say, no one has ever been charged with this crime. From Monday to Saturday, it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the medieval walls of the city of York – but only if he carries a bow and arrow. If you had planned to use this law, you will be disappointed to learn that it was abolished in 2013 along with 817 other archaic laws in the UK. Scottish archers in York can sit back and relax, but the Scots in Carlisle are not so lucky, because by law, all Scots who walk the streets can be whipped or imprisoned. There are archaic laws that are still in force.
If you find that you are violating any of these issues, you risk being fined or even jailed. Some of them are: Scotland is a strange place at best, with the most unique people venturing the streets of the country every day – but do you know any of the strange laws we have? This classic relic of the ancient „laws of decency” that we had in Britain serves to prevent the corruption of our innocent youth! Who would have thought that Scotland had such a history of strange and archaic laws? From the illegality of being drunk in a pub to the non-existence of manslaughter in Scotland, you`ll be surprised by some of the illegal things. An infographic from EM Law has revealed some of the weirdest UK laws that people may not be familiar with. Let`s dive deep into things and look at some of them, as well as evaluate some of the unique laws that apply specifically to Scotland. Are there any other strange Scottish laws that you know we`ve missed? Let us know in the comments below. Here are some of the weirdest laws that apply in our Bonnie Wee Nation. There are strange laws in the UK and Scotland. While some of these laws have been repealed, others remain in force.
Scottish law is an interesting mix of civil and customary law whose roots go back to several historical sources – meaning there are still bizarre laws that represent a hangover from the past. These are 9 of the strangest that still exist today – although there are few cases where they were broken in the modern era. Discover the Scottish language: Scotland`s official language that the English never erased A place where you can`t scribble, however, is a banknote – according to the Banknote Act 1928. In this law, it is illegal to write, stamp or print an official banknote. Who doesn`t love a Sing-a-Long? Well, without the written permission of the operator, it is actually illegal to sing or sing on the train. It is definitely illegal to fire a cannon within 300 meters of a person`s apartment, much to the chagrin of that resident. In case you really don`t like your neighbor and think that the best way to ruin his Sunday afternoon is to destroy his peace with cannon shots. They were warned. This is a crime under section 55 of the Police Act 1839, although there have been no prosecutions to date. Maybe you`re trying something more subtle? Many people in Scotland consider it a law to let others use your bathroom when they knock on your door, even though it`s legally more of a tradition. According to historians, it stems from the country`s love for hospitality.
However, there is nothing in the legislation to suggest that it is truly enforceable. This law also applies to horses, carriages or steam engines, which makes more sense. Who drives on the farm? If such an act is found guilty, the prison sentence for such an act may be up to 51 weeks. Almost a year in prison for taking care of a cow while she was drunk – it`s not worth it. Under the Town Police Clauses Act of 1847, it is actually illegal to keep a pigsty at the front of your property unless it is hidden in some way. Play in a library? It is a no. This problem was so serious that he justified his own law on offences against libraries in 1898. The law prohibits gambling in any public library and has been extended to the use of obscene or offensive language.
The offences could cost perpetrators up to 40 shillings (£700 in today`s money). It was an enforceable offence until the abolition of the death penalty in 1965! The Sailors` and Soldiers` False Characters Act of 1906 makes it illegal for a person to claim to be part of the armed forces, and the Police Act of 1996 says the same for anyone disguised as false copper. An 1886 law contains a curious line stating that it is illegal for Scots to „handle a salmon under suspicious circumstances.” In the more modern laughter law, you are not allowed to fish for salmon on Sundays so that the stock can recover. The „unofficial” flag of Scotland, the Rampant Lion, is a historical object belonging to the King or Queen of Scots. And so, according to an Act of Parliament of 1672, it is a criminal offence to hoist the flag on public lands. Scotland is unique in that you are effectively guilty under Scottish law until your innocence is proven. Indeed, at the end of a criminal case, there is a third verdict – in addition to „guilty” and „not guilty”, there is also „unproven”. If „it`s not proven,” the jury believes you`re guilty, but didn`t have enough evidence to convict you.
So you managed to get away with it. A motion to abolish the „unproven” verdict was rejected by PSM in 2016. A fine of up to £500 can be imposed on anyone who commits such a crime. Suppose you like the idea of building an ice slide. In this case, unfortunately, we must inform you that even more ordinary activities such as flying a kite or „playing a game to the chagrin of the occupants” are prohibited. If you`re caught playing with your gun of a caliber larger than a regular piece of poultry near someone`s house, you could be fined £200. We`ve all heard rumors that it`s illegal to guide cows through certain main roads on certain days of the year, but here we`re going to summarize 10 that you can`t believe to be real. This is described in the Easter Act of 1928 and cannot be changed (although IRL still does). It would be quite difficult to fall back on today`s money as it is, because of the new plastic notes that are in circulation. But when you get a rare paper note, don`t even think about drawing a stupid hat on the famous figure there. This goes back to a great horror in 2004 about the ring rot epidemics on Polish farms.
And who doesn`t love a Sing-a-Long on the train? Well, without the operator`s permission, it`s technically illegal. The Metropolitan Police Act 1989 prohibits the manufacture or use of a slide „on ice or snow in a road or other artery” if it presents a „common danger” to other Londoners. Yes, you read that right. Unlicensed television is considered a crime in the UK. If you think you can watch TV without a license, you`re wrong. Section 363 of the Communications Act 2003 makes it illegal to watch television without a licence and if you are caught you can expect a fine of up to £1,000. * The Metropolitan Police District = all of Greater London except the City of London. Queen`s Funeral: Ballater stays at home while tourists settle into the pub to say goodbye Do you remember drawing a funny picture on a banknote? They could end up in hot water. The Banknotes Act of 1928 prohibits writing, printing or stamping a banknote as alcohol may only be sold between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. Alcohol cannot be sold outside of these hours, even in supermarkets open 24 hours a day and out of license, unlike in England where it is allowed to be sold. This law dates back to the Middle Ages, when carts were regularly overloaded, causing the fall of wood and the endangerment of people.
Shouting isn`t the only thing that`s forbidden in the library, you could be fined if you`re also caught playing. An 1898 law prohibited gambling in any public library. It also banned „obscene language.” – Scottish comedians team up for a new sketch show on BBC Radio Scotland Confirmed by the Salmon Fisheries (Scotland) Act of 1862, it is illegal in Scotland to fish for salmon on a Sunday. In an even stranger section of the law, it is illegal to „handle a salmon in suspicious circumstances.” Keep these fishmongers secret on weekdays and Saturdays, please! If a stranger knocks on your door and asks you to use your toilet, you are legally obliged to let him do it. As an extension of the old Scottish common law that requires hospitality to be shown to all guests, this „law” has never been formally approved by Parliament, but is enforceable. This is reminiscent of the time when travelers crossed the country of members of the neighboring clan on foot. It is widely accepted and is still widely used by mountain hikers and walkers across Scotland.