Scientists have straightened out red hair mystery

Another eight genes found to be associated with possessing flaming locks

Flame-haired figures from Mary Queen of Scots to Scotland football boss Alex McLeish have eight additional genes that explain their hair colour, according to new research.

Scientists at Edinburgh University say the discovery of the genes linked to red hair has helped solve the mystery of how redheads inherit their flaming locks.

The study, which also sheds light on blondes and brunettes, was the largest genetic study of hair colour to date.

While about only 1 to 2% of the human population possess the ginger gene, 13% of Scots have red hair.

Famous flame-haired Scots include actors Karen Gillan and Tony Curran, singers Annie Lennox and Lulu and even fictional characters such as Brave’s Princess Merida and Simpsons favourite, Groundskeeper Willie.

Until now, it was thought that their red hair was controlled by a single gene, called MC1R.

However, the new research sheds light on other genes involved. Previous studies had shown redheads inherit two versions of the MC1R gene that leads to red hair – one from each of their parents.

Although almost everyone with red hair has two copies of the red-haired version of MC1R, not everyone carrying two red-haired versions is a redhead.

Comparing redheads to people with brown or black hair, scientists identified eight previously unknown genetic differences associated with red hair.

Pictures: Getty Images. Clockwise from above, left: Lulu, Tony Curran, Karen Gillan and Groundskeeper Willie.