Rutherglen man's card game is being taught in schools

Sep 2 2009 by Douglas Dickie, Rutherglen Reformer

Peter’s card game is in a class of its own

A RUTHERGLEN man has had a card game invented by him and his brother distributed to every school in South Lanarkshire.

Peter Tucknutt (71) published the game 'Scotland' in 1999 as an educational tool and has been working tirelessly on widening its appeal since.

He has now been successful in gaining the support of education advisors to the council, one of whom even took the game on trip to Malawi.

The success of the game has also helped Peter raise money for Parkinson's Awareness.

Originally for Sunderland, Peter suffers from the disease himself and hopes every deck of ‘Scotland’ cards sold can help research into the degenerative condition. He has also donated money from the sale of the game to the Scottish Association of Blind Bowlers.

The game itself is a mathematical card game based on the multiplication tables.

Peter has now handed over 150 packs for free to South Lanarkshire Council, and he hopes the fun game can help youngsters improve their maths across the authority.

Peter said: “I don't know what effect it will have, but I have been pushing this for three years now so it's a step.

“One of the staff even took the game to Malawi where they were representing South Lanarkshire Council. I was thrilled to bits about that."

Peter is determined not to rest on his laurels, though.

The game is already on sale in the Scottish Parliament as well as Glasgow’s six major museums and he has already donated well over £6000 to charity, but he is currently contemplating a braille version of the game.

He said: “It's something I am looking into. I would love to think a braille version of the game could be used in under-developed countries."

Peter reckons the game is not just a great educational tool, but it's also a winner with the tourists. Each card contains a snapshot of a Scottish landmark ranging from the Glenfinnan Monument to the Forth Rail Bridge.

Caroline Gibson was the education advisor who took the game to Malawi and she said it went down a storm with the kids.

She said: “It took a while to explain the game, but once we got going it went really well.

“They are not used to having games like this over there so they really loved it.”

The decision to endorse the game was taken by maths development officer at the council’s advisory service, Alec Coull.

In a letter to Peter, he described the game as “an excellent learning and teaching product,” adding: “At a time when teachers are being urged to make learning more active, challenging and enjoyable, it is good to see products such as the ‘Scotland’ card game coming onto the market.”

Locally, Scotland is on sale at Le Sorelle at 264 Stonelaw Road in Burnside.