20 Incredible Inventions You Didn't Know Were Scottish

12. Adhesive Postage Stamps

In the digital age in which we live, sending letters by post has almost become a thing of the past €“ but throughout history numerous methods have been employed to denote payment of postage. Today, we're all familiar with licking a stamp before applying it to a package, and that distinct, not particularly pleasant taste is all thanks to Scotsman James Chalmers. If only he'd thought of adding a little bit of flavouring...

11. Incandescent Light Bulbs

There are some inventions we appreciate on a daily basis €“ not least, the great Scottish inventions the television and telephone. Others we often take for granted, perhaps none more so than the incandescent light bulb, invented by James Bowman Lindsay but only developed and produced long after his death. Next time there's a power cut we should think of Lindsay every bit as much as Edison €“ although we're most likely cursing ourselves for not stocking up on the light bulbs of the past €“ candles.