SOMETHING strange happened this week. Scotland took a step forward that was also a step back in time.

I refer to the new law which came into force on Monday requiring shops to charge 5p if a customer requires a plastic bag — or bags made from other materials — in which to carry goods home.

Anything that reduces the number of discarded plastic bags hanging from trees or clogging drains will undoubtedly be good for the environment.

There are exemptions from the law.

I understand pharmacists are still allowed to dispense medicines in bags but I do not know how many other businesses are in the same situation.

It struck me hot food takeaways might be exempt but decided to have a plastic bag from the house with me, just in case, when collecting food from a chippie the other evening. It was the correct move as the assistant apologised for advising she was required to charge 5p for a bag.

Several supermarket chains have pledged that every 5p will go to charity. If other concerns decide to keep the money that’s fine by me.

I earlier suggested the legislation was also a step back in time. I was thinking about when shoppers had a dedicated bag for carrying the ‘messages’.

Older readers will recall their mothers with such a bag, which often saw service for many years. On other occasions husbands would be asked to pick up something on their way home from work.

It would simply be stuffed in a jacket or coat pocket. Incidentally, on Tuesday I came out of a baker’s with two scones in a non-chargeable paper ‘poke’ in one side pocket of my blazer and a pint of milk in the other.

The new legislation will possibly herald the return of the traditional ‘message’ bag which would make much sense.

One thing is puzzling me. Who is going to check that a business is charging for plastic bags?

Are we going to see an official with a clipboard accompanied by armed police in riot gear swoop on Effie Thompson’s corner shop? Time will tell.