WHEN it comes to instantly recognisable Scots, The Proclaimers are up there with Robert Burns and Billy Connolly. Indeed, so identifiable are Charlie and Craig Reid with their Buddy Holly-style glasses, to see one of them without their specs is a bit like Oor Wullie without his bucket.
So, when I met up with the Reid brothers for a chat, Charlie took time out to dispel rumours he recently underwent laser eye-surgery.
"Contrary to reports from Edinburgh taxi drivers, I've not had it done, even though they always ask me how much i
t costs," laughs Charlie.
Speaking to Charlie and Craig, it's clear they have a strong bond with one another. Polite, courteous, unlike Oasis' Gallagher brothers, they're more likely to agree than disagree. Any tips, then, for the warring Gallaghers?
"If they don't get on, they don't get on," says Craig (he's the one with the glasses, by the way). "If they need a break from one another, they're probably wise to do it. It's not as if they need the money."
Promoting their eighth studio album, the duo have kept to their tried-and-tested Celtic-pop formula on latest release Notes & Rhymes. An equal mix of uplifting love songs and dark, political tunes, the combination, says Craig, wasn't a conscious one.
"It just happened that way – it's not by design. It's not like we've got to change on this album. If it was all political or all love songs, we'd still do it."
Charlie, however, believes "Albums evolve with different producers and different musicians. Your life changes, so albums will change with that. If there's a formula we work with, then it's within the three-minute pop song."
Famous for singing in their own, native accent, The Proclaimers are delighted to see new bands singing in their own twang. Bands like Glasvegas.
"The Glasvegas thing is interesting for two things," says Charlie. "One: it shows that every time you think it's all been done, someone comes along and does something slightly different.
"Two: on Paolo Nutini's latest album, he seems to have changed something, culturally. There seems to be a relaxation about people singing in their natural voice."
Today, The Proclaimers are bigger than they ever have been. Back in 1987, they said they'd be happy if their music could get them off the dole. Now, they're selling millions of records, turned songs into musicals, appeared on Family Guy and Hollywood blockbuster Shrek, played Edinburgh Castle and before a Champions League Final at Hampden.
However, one ambition remains: Easter Road. Will The Proclaimers ever perform at the home of their beloved Hibs?
"I'd love to do it," confesses Charlie. "People keep telling us we've had offers, but I've never had one. If someone from the football club made an offer towards us, we would be interested.
"The problem with playing at Easter Road is there's only a certain amount of time you can use the football ground, as there's only a few, short weeks between when the season ends and when the players have to get back on the park.
"Hibs, though, are doing all right at the moment. If you're a proper Hibs supporter, then you want the game played on the deck, and preferably with local kids; and the ones Yogi has brought in - and he's doing it - have been relevant and have worked. That's all I expect from Hibs.
"If they're hoofing it up the park, that's not what we want. And I think the number of people turning up at Easter Road recently indicate how you put bums on seats.
"We don't expect to win many trophies, but we expect to be competing."
It's not just the beautiful game The Proclaimers are passionate about, however. Politics, and in particular Edinburgh trams, is something they also have strong opinions on.
"I hope the people that cajoled us into having them are proved right," says Craig. "They've done massive harm to the city, but I hope and pray that, later on, with increased numbers of people coming into the city using the facilities, it compensates for what's been lost."
Charlie, meanwhile, believes what "Edinburgh has lacked – and what Glasgow has – is a coherent, integrated approach to public transport. Glasgow gets a great deal more subsidy than Edinburgh because it's got more poverty and people, so it needs more money, and more transport. The natural growth area of Scotland is Edinburgh, I think that's been proven pretty clearly."
With two shows lined up at the Usher Hall next week to look forward to – another 200 tickets have been released due to popular demand – The Proclaimers will soon be heading down under for a tour of Australia.
"When you're used to three hours of sunlight and sitting in the freezing cold, no-one is going to show you sympathy when you tell them you're heading to Australia, are they?" jokes Craig.
And while the lads are looking forward to jetting off to warmer climes, both Charlie and Craig are also looking forward to playing the more rural parts of Scotland on their return.
"We grew up in a village of 1500 people. If you wanted to see a gig, you had to travel 20, 30 miles to Dundee or Edinburgh, so it's good to go where the people are, rather than have them come to you."
Finally, as two of the most recognisable Scots alive, do the brothers think they might find their likeness appearing on the front of a Scottish ten-pound note one day?
"If we do, it might be on the Euro note instead," laughs Charlie."
"Don't hold your breath," replies Craig.
The Proclaimers, Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Tuesday and Wednesday, 7.30pm, £22.50-£25, 0131-228 1155