A Scotland Quiz, Lass

Answer: 1314

In 1314, the Scots, led by Robert the Bruce, defeated the English army, led by Edward II, at the Battle of Bannockburn, giving them independence.

Answer: Presbyterian (Church of Scotland)

The Church of Scotland is Presbyterian and is governed by 1250 officers called elders. The Church of Scotland is often called the Kirk, an old Scots Gaelic word.

Answer: False

"Loch Lomond" is a traditional Scottish folk song and not a national anthem.

"God save the Queen" originated as an anti-Jacobite song during the 1745 rebellion. It is of course the British national anthemn and is therefore also sung in Scotland.

"Flower of Scotland" is unofficial and is often sung at sporting events.

Answer: False

The highest point is Ben Nevis at 4,406 feet. In Scottish usage it means "mountain covered by fog".

Answer: Tapadh leat

"Thig a-staigh" means "come in"; "an-diugh" means "today"; and "mar sin leat" means "goodbye". Gaelic is an ancient language, but it is estimated that 80,000 people use it in everyday speech. However, no one in Scotland speaks only Gaelic and not English. Some train stations list both the English and Gaelic name for a town.

Answer: No

Scotch is a type of whisky made in Scotland. Scottish people are properly referred to as Scots or even British, most of them prefering to be called Scots. They will forgive you if you make a mistake and call them Scotch, but NEVER call them English!

Answer: True

Scots have their own terms for lakes, hills, forests, and other natural formations. A small stream is called a "burn"; an estuary in the sea is called a "firth"; a valley is called a "glen"; a meadow or island is called an "inch"; a lake is called a "loch".

A large tract of open land is called a "moor". Heaps of stones at the bottom of a hill is called "scree". And a large, flat river valley is a "strath".

Answer: True

Charles Macintosh, a chemist born in Glasgow, is credited with having invented the raincoat. In Great Britain a raincoat is still called a mackintosh, or a "mac".

Answer: Fortingall

Fortingall is north of Loch Tay. The villagers there say that a twisted yew tree is the oldest living tree in all of Europe.

Answer: Crathes Castle

The Green Lady is one of Scotland's most famous ghosts. She has been seen in Crathes Castle in Aberdeen, dressed in green and sometimes holding a baby in her arms.