Why do scots have red hair

It will also inform them of which of three types of the gene they have, and possibly provide some insight into why Scotland is the most red-headed nation on earth. Managing director of ScotlandsDNA Alastair Moffat is keen to map the number of possible carriers of the gene in Scotland and attempt to explain why there are so many Scots red-heads.

For example, in my own family, I have three kids and two of them have red hair - and while I haven't got much hair, it's certainly not red, and neither has my wife. That was what got me interested. The result is red hair, light skin colour, often freckles and a greater sensitivity to sunlight.

Mr Moffat believes the origins of the gene are more an adaptation to Scotland's poor weather. Mr Moffat added: "I think it's to do with sunshine - we all need vitamin D from sunshine - but Scotland is cloudy, we have an Atlantic climate and we need light skin to get as much vitamin D from the Sun as possible. Redheaded sperm lacking demand. Thank you for signing up to our Sunday Post newsletter.

Something went wrong - please try again later. Sign Up. Up until recently, many have pondered the cause of this distinctive Caledonian trait.

And instead of just one gene, eight have to come into play and interact before red hair appears. Actress Karen Gillan: Alberto E. Enjoy the convenience of having The Sunday Post delivered as a digital ePaper straight to your smartphone, tablet or computer.

The secret behind ginger hair colour unlocked by Scottish scientists Next Post. That was what got me interested. But they have to be tested first, and then we can tell them if they're carriers of the red-head variant.

Moffat believes Scotland's gloomy, rainy weather may be partially responsible for the proliferation of redheads. Red hair is also relatively common in England, Ireland and northwestern Europe.

Interestingly, red hair is less prevalent in Scandinavia than in the British Isles — likely owing to the fact that Norwegians and Swedes enjoy more daily sunshine than Britons and the Irish.

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