A NEW £20 note entering circulation today will be the first of its kind to feature a woman other than the Queen.

The Royal Bank of Scotland polymer note features the image of historic Scottish entrepreneur Kate Cranston, the first woman to adorn a Scottish note of its denomination other than Queen Elizabeth II.

Royal Bank of Scotland Scottish board chair Malcolm Buchanan, said: “On the eve of International Women’s Day it is fitting that such a figure as Kate Cranston will be celebrated on the face of our most

popular note.”

In keeping with its "Fabric of Nature" theme, the new £20 features illustrations of red squirrels on its reverse and also blaeberry fruit.

The note, the bank’s first new £20 in 23 years, was designed in partnership with leading Scottish arts’ organisation and in consultation with the public, and is available at eight RBS branches, including Glasgow’s Sauchiehall Street and Gordon Street branches, and Edinburgh’s West End and flagship St Andrew Square branch, and Paisley’s

Chief Office.