EasyJet has been forced to apologise after it twice told a passenger that his Scottish banknote was not accepted as currency.

A member of the cabin crew on a flight from Venice to Amsterdam first refused Bruce Anderson’s payment when he attempted to buy food for his two children, saying they did not recognise the notes, which are designed differently to English equivalents but are legal tender.

The self-employed contractor from Stirling then wrote to the carrier to complain, only for a customer service advisor to respond confirming that Scottish banknotes were not accepted.

“I am sorry you feel our cabin crew were not very friendly when making a purchase on board,” the airline said to Mr Anderson.

“I would like to assure you that we take complaints about unhelpful staff very seriously, because our customers are at the centre of what we do.

Easyjet operates from four airports in Scotland Credit: Getty

“I do apologise that you could not make the payment in your preferred currency, as easyJet doesn’t accept Scottish pounds.”

The airline, however, admitted to Scotland on Sunday, that both employees had not accurately relayed the airline’s official stance, and that the banknotes had been rejected “in error” and the employee who responded to Mr Anderson’s complaint had “misunderstood” the carrier’s policy.

EasyJet operates routes from four Scottish airports, including dozens from Edinburgh, two domestic routes from Inverness, a host of European flights from Glasgow and three services from Aberdeen.

Mr Anderson told the newspaper: “I found it depressing that they wouldn’t take Scottish banknotes.

“I ended up having to pay them in euros when there is a horrendous exchange rate.

“The thing is, they would have taken English money. My children then asked me why they wouldn’t take daddy’s money, which was upsetting.

“I suppose that’s potentially five million customers who are going to be slightly annoyed by this. It reminded me of being in London where cabbies are reluctant to take Scottish cash.”

A spokesperson for EasyJet said: “EasyJet accepts both the euro and sterling, including the Scottish pound, for our onboard retail services on all flights.

“Mr Anderson’s currency was not accepted on board his flight from Venice to Amsterdam in error on July 12.

“The Italian crew on the day did not on this occasion recognise the currency, and EasyJet are working with our team in Venice to ensure that this does not happen in future.

“Unfortunately the agent who wrote to Mr Anderson on 28 August misunderstood our currency policy and so incorrectly advised him.”