A Tale of Four Cities Trivia Quiz

Answer: Aberdeen

Popular with anglers and one of the most famous salmon fishing rivers in the world, the River Dee is situated in Aberdeenshire. It flows through southern area of this county and reaches the North Sea at Aberdeen. In 1848, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were so taken with the area that they built Balmoral Castle here. Members of the Royal Family spend and have spent summer vacations there ever since.

Answer: Dundee

Dennis the Menace is a cartoon character who appears in 'The Beano' comic, which is published in Dundee by the company D.C. Thomson. The media company was founded in 1905 by David Coupar Thompson. Besides publishing the Beano, other publications include: 'The Dandy', 'The Broons', 'Oor Wullie' and 'The Commando'.

It also publishes in the newspapers the Evening Telegraph, the Courier and the Sunday Post.

Answer: Dundee

The river Tay is the longest river in Scotland. At 193 km (120 miles), it is also the seventh longest river in the UK, and it is spanned by two bridges, one of which is the Tay Road Bridge. This was opened by the Queen Mother in August, 1966. The other is the Tay Railway Bridge, the first of which was built in June 1878. During a very bad storm, in December, 1879, the bridge collapsed when a passenger train from Burntiland, Fife, crossed over it. An estimated 75 people lost their lives. A second bridge was built to replace it in 1887, which remains standing to the present day.

Answer: Edinburgh

Situated just east of the city and Edinburgh Castle, Arthur's Seat is an extinct volcano. It rises to 250.5 meters above the city and it can be climbed from any direction. Popular with hillwalkers, it is part of and the highest peak of a group of hills in Scotland, which form most of Hollyrood Park.

Answer: Glasgow

One of the greatest art collections built up by one person, the Burrel Collection is housed in a museum in Country Park, Glasgow. It was obtained by the wealthy Glaswegian shipping magnate, Sir William Burrell and his wife, Constance Lady Burrell. They then gave it, in 1944, to the Glasgow Corporation. It contains more than 9,000 items.

Answer: Glasgow

Originally built as a ballroom in 1934, the Barrowland Ballroom, also known as the Barras, was built by Maggie McIver, the 'Barras Queen'. It is one of the most distinctive music venues, and is known round the world. Following a fire, it was rebuilt in 1960. Between 1968 and 1969, three women were murdered after attending the ballroom where they met a man who was later labelled 'Bible John'.

He was given the name because he referred to the Old Testament to one of his victims. The killer was never caught and his true identity remains a mystery.

Answer: Dundee

A Revival-style building located in the centre of Dundee, the McManus Galleries is an art gallery and a museum. It houses a collection of fine art and a natural history collection. It is a category A listed building, which was designed by the architect George Gibert Scott. Scott was an expert in the restoration of medieval churches.

The building was opened in 1967 and named the Albert Institute.

Answer: Glasgow

Flowing into the Firth of Clyde, the River Clyde is the third longest river in Scotland and the ninth longest in the UK. It runs through the city of Glasgow. For over 200 years, Glasgow was known as the shipbuilding capital of the world. One of the largest shipbuilding yards was John Brown's shipyard located in Clydebank.

It built some of the largest cruise liners of the twentieth century. The term 'Clydebuilt' became associated with very high quality craft around the world.

Answer: Dundee

Dating back to the 16th century, Claypotts Castle was built by John Strachan during the reign of James VI. The dates 1568 and 1588 are carved on the castle's gables. After John Strachan's death, the family moved out in 1593 and the estate was sold to Laird, John Ballunie. Following this, it was sold to William Graham of Claverhouse, aka, 'Bonnie Dundee'. Subsequently, in 1689, it became the property of the crown following the death of the then current owner Viscount Dundee John Graham of Claverhouse at the battle of Killiecrankie.

Answer: Edinburgh

Situated just off the Royal Mile, the Edinburgh Chocolatarium gives visitors a guided tour, exhibiting the process of making chocolate. There are over 40 Scottish and national types of chocolate to select from. These include chocolate castles, chocolate bars and chocolate Nessies, aka, the Loch Ness Monster.

Here, in the chocolate-tasting room, one can sample haggis and gin flavoured chocolates.

Answer: Edinburgh

Situated in the West End of Edinburgh and built in 1914, the construction of the Usher Hall was funded by a whisky distiller named Andrew Usher, and it has been used as a concert hall since it was built. It is owned by Edinburgh City Council. It can hold approximately 2,200 people.

In 1972, the Eurovision Song Contest was held here. The New Seekers represented the United Kingdom and came second to the winning country, Luxembourg, which emerged victorious with a song entitled 'Aprez Toi', sung by Vicky Leandros.

Answer: Glasgow

One of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions and opened in 1901, the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is situated in the West End of Glasgow. It houses a large collection of Egyptian antiques, architecture and design, armoury, Scottish history, medieval, arms and the history of Glasgow. There are also civic collections of Scottish, African, Asian, European and Oceanic decorative arts.

Answer: Edinburgh

Hollyrood Palace, in Edinburgh, has been a Royal residence in Scotland since the 16th century. It is the official residence of the British monarch. Situated at the opposite end to Edinburgh Castle, it is located at the bottom of the Royal Mile. It is used for state occasions and for entertaining. The British monarch spends one week at the palace each summer. This is known as the 'Royal Week'.

Answer: Aberdeen

Located close to the River Dee, in the Ferryhill area of Aberdeen, Duthie Park is a public park which was given to the council by Miss Elizabeth Crombie Duthie, in memory of her uncle and brother. It was designed by William R. McKelvie. Therein are the David Welsh Winter Gardens, which contain the second largest collection of giant cacti. There is also a Japanese Garden, situated outside, to commemorate the dead at Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Also to be seen is a statue of the Greek goddess Hygieia.

Answer: Aberdeen

Situated to the north of Aberdeen, St Machar's Cathedral has twin towers; it is an example of a fortified kirk, "kirk" being the Scottish word for church. The cathedral has been featured on the BBC'S television programme, "Songs of Praise". It is regarded nowadays as being a high kirk as opposed to a cathedral, owing to its not having been the seat of a bishop since the year 1690.

Answer: Aberdeen

Built in 1545, by Matthew Lumsden, Provost's Skene House in Aberdeen is the oldest surviving townhouse in the city. It is named after Sir George Skene, who purchased the property in 1622. He was a former Provost of Aberdeen. He was also a wealthy merchant. It celebrates various pioneering people who are associated with the city and the North-East area of Scotland and its culture. Included are scientists, sporting champions, writers and stars of the screen and stage.