The long standing (friendly) rivalry between Edinburgh and Glasgow could have started over an argument over bread.
The story of a heated row between 17th century bakers in Scotland's two largest cities was discovered by Professor Robert Crawford, published in his book; On Glasgow and Edinburgh.
An article in Digital Spy quotes Crawford, saying: "The famous, often-misunderstood rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh began over 300 years ago.
"One of the first recorded flare-ups happened in 1656, when the town council of Glasgow expressed concern at the bad quality of bread the local bakers were producing.
“Two bakers from Edinburgh offered an easy solution and also managed to one-up Glasgow - they would happily bake Glaswegians bread that met her higher quality, Edinburgh standards.
“The gloves were off and the jousting between Edinburgh and Glasgow had begun.”
The Auld Reekie versus the Dear Green Place is one of the world’s longest standing rivalries, and the differences between people from the two cities is a common talking point.
Though the cities sit just 45 miles apart, it’s said that the difference in life, leisure, sport, and business can be felt.
Glasgow is considered to be friendlier, trendier, and more risqué than Edinburgh; which is thought to be the better looking counterpart with less hustle and bustle.
Potentially one of the most divisive and telling points of conversation between the cities is a trip to the chip shop.
Edinburgh is the only area in Scotland whose residents would prefer salt and sauce with their chips; a decision which is not taken lightly in Glasgow.
In the East, salt and sauce is the preferred topping for more than two-fifths of people surveyed.
If, like us, you've long wondered what chippy sauce is - you may be surprised to discover the delicacy is largely made of onions, spices, sultanas and other fruits.
To make matters even more confusing, many of Edinburgh’s chip shops purchase the sauce from Walter Black - which is made in Glasgow.
Sign up to our Edinburgh Live nostalgia newsletters for more local history and heritage content straight to your inbox
In a less chip-related comment, Professor Crawford added: “Competition between cities in a single country is a very ancient phenomenon, going back at least to Athens and Sparta in classical Greece.
“The rivalry between Glasgow and Edinburgh is foundational in that it precedes and to some extent prefigures all other fully-developed, long-standing urban rivalries - those between New York and Boston, Sydney and Melbourne, Toronto and Vancouver come later.”
An old Scottish joke says: “Edinburgh boys came to Glasgow for a laugh and go home in stitches.”
This suggests Glaswegians have an infectious sense of humour, but may be more prone to the odd outburst.
Years ago, Glasgow in it’s more industrial times was said to be filled with the working class who got stuck into ‘real work’, compared to the snobbery of Edinburgh.
Today, Edinburgh has the annual Festivals; Glasgow has a booming music scene.
Edinburgh maintains a historic and picturesque look, while Glasgow embraces a modern urban feel.
Slap bang in the centre of Edinburgh sits a castle, and elsewhere we hold the National Rugby stadium for Scotland.
Over in Glasgow, on the banks of the Clyde the OVO Hydro provides a multi-purpose indoor arena which welcomes sporting events and global celebrities.
The comparisons and differences are arguably what makes the two biggest cities in Scotland a fantastic representation of Scotland; but only when paired together.
Professor Crawford argues the only travesty would be if the rivalry were to fizzle out completely.
He argued: “It is in part the centuries old rivalry, the differences, the splendidly distinct flavoursomeness of these almost-but-never-quite neighbours that constitutes their enduring yet dynamic allure.
“In both cities there is the assumption that Glaswegians are rough diamonds whose hospitality, especially to those in need, is legendary.
“In Edinburgh, folk wisdom has it, at whatever time you arrive on someone’s doorstep you may be welcomed with the words ‘you’ll have had your tea’ - meaning the visitor will have already eaten and so the host will not need to provide any nourishment.
“Such caricatures are unfair, yet too much fun to jettison.
“Everyone may enjoy this pair of stubborn cities equally, no-one can understand Scotland without paying attention to both.
“It would be a terrible shame if this rivalry were ever settled.”
