Scotland's Bad Weather Means More Redheads

Cloudier climes allowed trait to gain in population
By Will McCahill,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 13, 2010 10:23 AM CST

The cooler, cloudier climes for northern Europe make for more redheads—particularly in Scotland and Ireland, a researcher says. About 8% of Scots sport a ginger mane, to less than 2% of all Europeans. The theory, Emily Pritchard tells the Times of London, is that genetic traits that allow sun-unfriendly red hair and fair skin didn’t die out as humans moved from Africa northward.
(Read more redhead stories.)

We use cookies. By Clicking "OK" or any content on this site, you agree to allow cookies to be placed. Read more in our privacy policy.
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X