Scotland, by Category Trivia Quiz

Answer: Polar Bear

One would think that the many jokes about the Scots being impervious to the cold and snow would make Scotland an ideal home for polar bears. If they were native to Scotland I would certainly visit there more often!

Answer: Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. I had two very happy holidays there as a child, spoiled only by my father getting vertigo and being bedridden after climbing the Scott Monument.

Answer: Robert Carlyle

Robert Carlyle (born 1961) has provided the voice of Gabriel Belmont/Dracula in the "Castlevania: Lord of Shadows" video games.

In the US, he plays the anti-hero Mr Gold in the television series "Once Upon A Time".

He was the title character of the UK television series "Hamish MacBeth" about a rather unconventional British policeman.

Answer: Janet Brown

Janet Brown (1923 - 2011) first appeared on television in its early days, but her impersonation of Margaret Thatcher led her to bigger and better things. She even appeared as Margaret Thatcher in the James Bond movie, "For Your Eyes Only".

The three wrong answers are all Scottish comediennes and actresses.

Answer: Balamory

"Balamory" was mostly filmed in Tobermory on the Island of Mull. It was a very popular series for young children who watched the characters' daily lives.

The popularity of the series meant that the actors' lives were disrupted constantly by their young fans, completely ruining family outings.

Answer: False

Burns' Night was first celebrated in 1801 on the fifth anniversary of the death of Robert Burns (1759 to 1796), when a group of his friends met up to remember his life and works. A good time was had by all and they agreed to meet up and do the same thing the following year. By 1806, the tradition had been spread across Scotland and to England by Scottish students at Oxford University and from such small beginnings, around the world, wherever the Scots have travelled.

Answer: Ben Nevis

Ben Nevis is the highest mountain in both Scotland and the British Isles. Ben is the Anglicization of the Scottish "Beinn" which means Mountain. There are several interpretations of the Nevis part of the name, but most agree that refers to the top of the mountain heading towards the heavens.

Answer: James l of Scotland

James I (1394 - 1437) was the youngest son of King Robert III, but both of his older brothers had died by the time he was eight years old. After an education in the English court, he fought in France for Henry V, so it was hardly surprising that his return to Scotland was not a great success. He was tolerated as king until his political influence started to falter and then it was only a matter of time before his death.

James VI of Scotland (1566 to 1625) became James l of England in 1603 and remained ruler of both Scotland and England until his death.

Answer: Haggis, tatties and neeps

Haggis, tatties and neeps is potatoes and turnips with haggis. Haggis is available in a vegetarian version, but is usually a mixture of minced lamb and beef offal with oatmeal and seasoning added.

The roast beef option is seen as the English Sunday dinner. Deep-fried Mars bars gained notoriety after they were mentioned on the BBC. Apparently they can be found in many places, but as a novelty item rather than a staple part of the diet.

Red squirrel numbers are on the increase, but not enough to be put on menus. It is a protected species across the UK.

Answer: Edinburgh Fringe

In 1947, the companies from eight theatres turned up to try to cash in on the newly started Edinburgh International Festival, which had drawn many tourists to the area. From such a small beginning, the Fringe has grown and attracts acts from around the world.

Answer: Robert Burns

Robert Burns is considered the national poet of Scotland and his fame has spread worldwide.

J.M. Barrie is most famous for his stories about the boy who never grew up, Peter Pan.

Iain Banks is a fiction writer and also writes Science Fiction, adding the middle initial "M" to his name, to differentiate between the two genres.

John Buchan (The Right Honourable the Lord Tweedsmuir) was an author turned politician. Of his hundred or so published works, thirty were novels. My favourite is "The Thirty Nine Steps", which has also been made into movies.

Answer: Trainspotting

According to the website of "things nerds like", the three wrong answers come top of the lists as unusual hobbies for nerds. Train spotting is still a popular hobby, even though it can be considered "nerdy".

The movie "Trainspotting" actually follows a group of drug-taking friends as they reach the highs and lows of their chosen life-styles.

Answer: Bay City Rollers

In the late 1970s, I shared a flat with three members of the tartan army. Bay City Rollers produced some very catchy songs and I was happy to listen and sing along. I did not join in with the tartan fashion statements though.

Electric Light Orchestra were a band from Birmingham, England.

Goo Goo Dolls are from Buffalo, New York.

Nine Inch Nails are from Cleveland, Ohio.

Answer: first member of her political party elected to parliament

Winnie Ewing won the 1967 Hamilton by-election and became the first ever Scottish National Party (SNP) politician elected to the UK parliament. This feat helped to raise the profile of the SNP, which is still going strong.

Answer: kirk

"Kirk" is the Scottish word for church. It is most commonly used for the Church of Scotland places of worship.

Answer: John Logie Baird

John Logie Baird (1888 to 1946) built his first working version of what eventually became the television in 1923. In January 1926, he gave the first public demonstration of his device. Only two years later he demonstrated colour television.

Answer: Rangers and Celtic

Glasgow's two soccer teams were originally divided by religion. Celtic supporters were made up of Catholics. Rangers' fans were made up of Protestants. Modernisation has gradually overcome this barrier, but the two teams remain fierce rivals.

Answer: Taggart

"Taggart" started in 1983 and starred Mark McManus (1935 to 1994) as DCI Taggart. The series was so popular that it continued after the death of the title character. Although the format of the show changed over the years, it was a brilliant series that followed a squad of detectives investigating murders.

There have been several disputes between the Scottish makers of the series STV and ITV who distribute television through the rest of the UK. The makers plan to continue the series, whether is it is picked up elsewhere or not.

Answer: Nancy Drew: The Silent Spy

"Nancy Drew: The Silent Spy" is the 29th instalment of the "click and point" adventure series. This time the player, as Nancy, has to remain undercover while investigating mysterious goings-on relating to the death and aftermath of Nancy's mother, Kate.

Answer: Standing Stones of Stenness

Although all four answers are the components of the UNESCO 1999 designated "Heart of Neolithic Orkney", the Standing Stones of Stenness are considered to be the oldest.

The Orkney Islands hold a special fascination for me as that is where my father spent the bulk of his time when serving in the armed forces during WWII. I used to tell people that he had served "overseas"!