Exchange rate

**Mike1** · 17th April 07, 03:43 PM

OK, as much as I would love to mix it up with all of you on how Scotland's fortunes will change after independence, let's keep the rules of the forum in mind.

For months, I used the Gàidhlig phrase, Saor Alba (Free Scotland), in my signature. Feeling this was far too political to be acceptable under our rules, I removed it. I didn't like feeling it was necessary, but it was. Don't make me start picking off posts on the subject, if you please.

Yes, there are those of us that want Scotland's independence to come sooner, rather than later. Yet as I've read some of the comments and statements made about an independence referendum becoming reality, I am amazed at just how little is understood about any of the issues surrounding the referendum. And because of that, I am going to politely request that you refrain from making further comments on the subject. The only way a referendum can be presented is for Parliament to call for it. Parliament is a political body. We have a rule prohibiting discussions about politics. We've already binned one Scottish independence thread that was filling up with nonsense, will it be necessary to ditch this one as well?

If any of you are interested in learning and/or discussing the topic, drop me a PM and I will direct you to another site. But we are going to insist you give the topic wide berth whilst you are here. Thanks for your understanding.

As for the exchange rate, I've been stalling on transferring some funds from my Royal Bank of Scotland account. It would now seem the time is right to get that handled, as I stand to make a rather tidy profit on the transaction. While the current exchange might make some postpone a planned trip, I can't personally say it is all bad.

Oh yes, I am moving this one from General Kilt Talk to Off Topic.

**cessna152towser** · 17th April 07, 03:43 PM

imported kilts and things are getting more expensive,

Conversely, importing a Canadian or US built kilt into Scotland would cost less.

**McClef** · 17th April 07, 03:52 PM

Originally Posted by cessna152towser

Conversely, importing a Canadian or US built kilt into Scotland would cost less.

And into Wales too for that matter!

Not everything changes at such a rapid rate though - barrels of oil are priced in USD I believe so it should make petrol in the UK cheaper but if it does it will take some time to filter through. Never takes that much time to filter through when it's the other way around!

**ozone** · 17th April 07, 04:20 PM

McClef, you gas is so expensive because of the taxes...I think GB charges about 80% tax on a litre of gas. This tends to minimize price swings no matter what happens to oil anywhere in the world. The economist had a good article advocating that the USA would benefit from such a system since the USA economy can be seriously adversely affected by oil price swings. So, hopefully that's some consolation for paying 80p and up for a litre. :-)

**Kiltman** · 17th April 07, 06:48 PM

As I discovered last year, one of the results of the strength of the pound is that many smaller Scottish-American vendors at Highland Games have had to go out of business. While $2 to the pound is only a cent or so more than yesterday, the psychological barrier is much larger.
Just a thought, when I was living in the UK several years ago the dollar and the pound were equal—although briefly.
It could change again.

**McClef** · 17th April 07, 11:48 PM

I don't remember the dollar and the pound ever being at complete parity kiltman, lowest I can remember was about $1.30 to the £.

Yes petrol taxes here are horrific ozone and few here see it as a consolation as it's closer to the 90p mark up or down a little from time to time.

Some claim that relatively speaking, it's cheaper compared with income than what it used to be. I just can't see it myself even allowing for the price hikes that occurred in the early 70s as the tax take is still higher than it was due to an accelerator formula introduced by a Tory Chancellor in the 80s.

Although this formula has now been abolished, UK Governments, having tasted the extra income, are loathe to turn the clock back. They will try to justify it by claiming their Green credentials etc. but that is more for the tax revenue they can gain rather than out of any real sense of altruism.

We are an island and hence a captive market.

**LK-13** · 18th April 07, 12:13 AM

don't cry to me about taxes,
I Am Canadian!
(the most heavily taxed people on the planet)

**Mumbles** · 18th April 07, 01:46 AM

Don't I know something about exchange rates >< When I came to study here in Eroupe, everything is more expensive. I was talking to a friend who is studying in England, and I kinda just shut my trap with their exchange rate to the dollar

**ozone** · 18th April 07, 06:51 AM

Oy, PDcorlis: go to Ireland instead of Scotland. They are on the Euro. My wife and I recently saw travels to europe with Samantha Brown about County Cork and surrounding environs....very nice looking place. We got excited about the possibility of going there. OK so it's not scotland, but it's still Gaelic.

**Mumbles** · 18th April 07, 07:04 AM

Originally Posted by ozone

Oy, PDcorlis: go to Ireland instead of Scotland. They are on the Euro. My wife and I recently saw travels to europe with Samantha Brown about County Cork and surrounding environs....very nice looking place. We got excited about the possibility of going there. OK so it's not scotland, but it's still Gaelic.

I went there around Christmas/new years this year, and cork is so beautiful!