Curse of Scotland
![](/Images/godic/202501/07/Playing_card_diamond_9.svg5756.png")
![Extract from British Apollo of 1708](/Images/godic/202501/07/Curse_of_Scotland5756.png")
![James Gillray caricature of 1796 showing a lady playing Pope Joan and holding the nine of diamonds](/Images/godic/202501/07/Lady_Godina's_rout;_-_or_-_Peeping-Tom_spying_out_Pope-Joan_by_James_Gillray5756.jpg")
![Arms of the Earl of Stair. The Dalrymple family arms are in the upper left quarter (as seen when facing the shield)](/Images/godic/202501/07/Earl_of_Stair_COA.svg5756.png")
The Curse of Scotland is a nickname used for the Nine of Diamonds playing card. The expression has been used at least since the early 18th century, and many putative explanations have been given for the origin of this nickname for the card.