Losing our Temperance… Around the turn of the 20th Century, one Scottish newspaper printed an advert in opposition to the temperance movement which ran: ”If you are capable of managing your own affairs - Send the Pussyfoot cranks back where they belong!

If you enjoy an occasional glass of beer, don't let them rob you of your favourite beverage. Good beer is a thoroughly sound and healthy drink - but even if it were otherwise, it is not for outsiders to dictate to you about it. Grown-up Scotsmen and Scotswomen do not need nursery government. Kill the Prohibition Germ NOW.”

The Licensing Act of 1903 (the first of the 20th Century) consolidated all previous acts and made further provision to punish public drunkenness. It also enabled a husband to obtain separation from his wife should she be an habitual drunkard or vice versa. Ten years later, the Temperance (Scotland) Act of 1913 stopped the improvement of pubs: publicans were rightly reluctant to spend money on their premises if the area might go "dry". Their fears about losing their livelihoods were well founded. The strict Scottish laws which demanded earlier closing times than in England were not changed until well after the Second World War.

Change At Last!
The Licensing (Scotland) Act of 1976, extended hours and accepted Sunday opening. It was also at this time that the last 'Men Only' bars were forced to admit women. It is a nice slice of irony that Scottish pubs today enjoy the most relaxed licensing laws in the United Kingdom. Under the current Licensing (Scotland) Act it is possible - though this is dependent on the local authority interpretation and circumstance - to have a drink almost anywhere in Scotland any time between 11 a.m. and midnight, Monday-Saturday and from 12.30 p.m. on a Sunday. Special licenses mean that in principal cities throughout Scotland, pubs are often open well into the small hours. Current licenses in Scotland reflect consumer demand across all sectors as illustrated below.

The largest increases in licences over the last 20 years are in restaurants and refreshment outlets along with entertainment venues and off sales.