Scottish Literature Trivia Quiz

Answer: Sir Walter Scott

Scott wrote the first novel, 'Waverley', anonymously as he was slightly ashamed, feeling it would affect his reputation as a poet. Subsequent novels were published as "By the Author of 'Waverley'". The Scott Monument in Edinburgh sits across from the city's main rail station: Edinburgh Waverley.

Answer: Iain Banks

Iain Banks's contemporary fiction includes 'Complicity', 'The Wasp Factory' and 'Dead Air'. The science fiction novels of Iain M. Banks include 'Feersum Endjinn', 'Against a Dark Background' and 'Consider Phlebus'. The M stands for Menzies.

Answer: Building lighthouses

RLS's grandfather, Robert, was the first of the Lighthouse Stevensons, building the famous Bell Rock lighthouse - a remarkable feat of engineering, built on a partially submerged reef, which has not required any repairs to its stonework since it was completed in 1811. Robert's sons, Alan, David and Thomas followed him into the trade as did several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. The family were also responsible for other engineering feats such as harbours, roads, bridges and canals.

Despite training as an engineer, however, RLS - to his father's great disappointemnt - turned his back on all of this to devote his life to writing. His other novels include 'The Master of Ballantrae', 'Catriona' and 'The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde'.

Answer: Trainspotting

The book was largely written in the Edinburgh dialect which made it a challenging read at times even for other Scots outside the Edinburgh area.

Answer: Naomi Mitchison

Mitchison was the daughter of the noted physiologist J S Haldane. A noted feminist and free-thinker, she was the author of over 70 books and died in 1999 at the age of 101.

'The Blood of the Martyrs', about a group of Christians living in ancient Rome, is one of my favourite novels.

Answer: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie

Muriel Spark's novel about an unconventional teacher in her 'prime' who has an unfortunate effect on the girls she teaches was made into a 1969 film with Maggie Smith in the title role. Muriel Spark has written over twenty novels as well as short stories, poetry and biographies of Emily Bronte, Mary Shelley and John Masefield.

However, 'The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie', published in 1961, remains by far her best-known work.

Answer: 'Morvern Callar' by Alan Warner

'Morvern Callar' is about a girl living in the Highlands who comes home to find her boyfriend has committed suicide. She hides the body and steals his unpublished book and passes it off as her own, living off the royalties. The title role was played by Samantha Morton in the film.

Answer: John Buchan

John Buchan was another prolific Scottish author. He was a member of the British parliament and was later Governor-General of Canada. 'The 39 Steps' is his best-known work.

Answer: Sun Circle

Gunn's other novels include 'The Grey Coast' and 'Butcher's Broom'.

Answer: 'How Late it Was, How Late' by James Kelman

'How Late It Was, How Late' was notorious due to the sheer volume of swearing contained within its pages.

Answer: Gillespie

'Sunset Song' was published in 1932, 'Could Howe' in 1933 and 'Grey Granite' in 1934. 'Gillespie' was written by John MacDougall Hay.

Answer: Peter Pan

In his will, J.M. Barrie donated the royalties of 'Peter Pan' to Great Ormond Street Hospital for sick children in London. The copyright expired in 1987. However, the British Government stepped in to effectively extend the copyright in perpetuity or until the hospital ceases to exist.

Answer: Ian Rankin

The first Rebus novel, 'Knots & Crosses', was published in 1987. A further 13 had been published by 2003. A number of them have been filmed for British TV, starring John Hannah as Inspector John Rebus.

Arthur Conan Doyle was, of course, the creator of an even more famous detective: Sherlock Holmes.

Answer: James Boswell

Boswell's 'Journal of the Tour of the Hebrides' was published in 1785 and his 'Life of Samuel Johnson' in 1791.

Tobias Smollett's most famous work was 'The Expedition of Humphrey Clinker'. Allan Ramsay was an accomplished poet while James MacPherson wrote the "Ossian" poems which were originally passed off as translations from ancient Celtic texts.

Answer: Alasdair Gray

Gray's other works include '1982, Janine', 'The Book of Prefaces' and 'A History Maker'.