Eighteenth or Twenty-First Birthday ?

[sarabande]

What are the cultural norms in Scotland, please, for celebrating a child's elevation to adulthood ? I know there's a legal 'stage' at 18, but do some parts of the country prefer to keep the old-fashioned 21st (possibly as a good reason for another party) ?

A young colleague (scion of an old-fashioned family) has a winsome sprogette who is approaching 18, and I have a family hobligation to give the lass a decent prezzie. Or shall I invest the loot until she reaches 21 ?


PS I know about the oncoming Vote at 16 malarky, but that birthday has passed.


All advice and /or warnings gratefully received.

[mm5aho]

I'm still an incomer (20 years this month), but my kids did pass these marks in Scotland and along with peers, 21 seemed to be the biggie.

[sahona]

I thought eighteen - when you can officially drink and fight for your country, though you could already have been married at 16, hence the commercial success of Gretna green). Is the car licence now linked to 18 as well? Certainly, I can't think of anything that changes at 21 in Scotland, so 18 gets my vote.

[claymore]

18 - the time between infancy and adultery