Literary Scotland Quiz | U.K. People

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1. Probably the best known writer Scotland has produced is poet Robert Burns. Arguably his most famous work, "Auld Lang Syne" is sung around the world on 31 December each year. By what name is this date more commonly known in Scotland?

Answer: Hogmanay

Robert Burns (1759-1796) was born in Alloway, Ayrshire. Some of his other notable works include: "To a Mouse", "Tam O'Shanter", "A Red, Red Rose", and "Ae Fond Kiss". Burns' birthday, 25 January, is still celebrated around the world with a Burns supper with Haggis as the main dish.

2. Waverley Train Station, named after a novel by Walter Scott, can be found in which Scottish city?

Answer: Edinburgh

Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) was born in Edinburgh. Scott was already a celebrated poet by the time his first novel, "Waverley", was published in 1814. The series of novels which followed have become known as the "Waverley Novels", and include "Rob Roy", "Ivanhoe", "The Heart of Midlothian", "Guy Mannering" and "Quentin Durward".

As well as Waverley Station, Edinburgh also boasts a monument to Scott in Princes Street. Scott's grave can be visited at Dryburgh Abbey in the Scottish Borders.

3. The family of Robert Louis Stevenson were famous for designing which type of buildings?

Answer: Lighthouses

Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) was born in Edinburgh. His paternal grandfather was civil engineer Robert Stevenson. Robert Louis' father was Thomas Stevenson, and Thomas' brothers were Alan and David Stevenson. All of them were leading lighthouse engineers of the time.

Robert Louis' works include: "Treasure Island", "Kidnapped" and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde". Suffering from ill health throughout his life, he died in Samoa at the age of 44.

4. Before taking up writing, Arthur Conan Doyle was a qualified lawyer.

Answer: False

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) was born in Edinburgh, and studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh. His lecturer, Joseph Bell, provided the inspiration, at least in part, for Sherlock Holmes. The first work to feature Holmes, "A Study in Scarlet", was written when Conan Doyle was just 27 years old.

5. J.M. Barrie, creator of Peter Pan, is often credited with inventing which name, which was used as a character in the stories?

Answer: Wendy

Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) was born in Kirriemuir, Angus. His most famous creation is Peter Pan, who first appeared in the novel "The Little White Bird", published in 1902.

The name Wendy, although used as a form of the Welsh name Gwendolyn, was thought to have been taken from the daughter of one of Barrie's friends, who referred to Barrie as her "friendy-wendy".

6. Iain Banks wrote mainstream fiction and science fiction. To differentiate between the two genres, he used the middle initial "M" for his science fiction novels.

Answer: True

Iain "Menzies" Banks (1954-2013) was born in Dunfermline, Fife. His first novel, "The Wasp Factory", was published in 1984. Banks wrote mainstream fiction and science fiction. He published his mainstream books under his given name of Iain Banks, but for his science fiction books, he used the name Iain M. Banks, opting to include his adopted middle name.

He was to be given the middle name Menzies, but his father made a mistake when registering the birth, and then name was left off the birth certificate.

7. Ian Rankin's most notable creation is Inspector Rebus. What is Rebus' first name?

Answer: John

Ian James Rankin OBE was born in Cardenden, Fife in 1960. After graduating from Edinburgh University in 1982, he spent some time living in London and France, working in various jobs. His first novel, "The Flood", was published in 1986, and his first novel to feature Inspector John Rebus, "Knots and Crosses", came the following year. The Rebus novels are set primarily in Edinburgh.

8. John Buchan's "The Thirty-Nine Steps" has been adapted for film many times. Which director, famous for his suspense films, directed the 1935 version starring Robert Donat?

Answer: Alfred Hitchcock

John Buchan (1875-1940) was born in Perth, Scotland. As well as writing, he also served as the 15th Governor General of Canada from 1935 until his death in 1940. Buchan was a prolific writer, with perhaps his best know work being "The Thirty-Nine Steps", published in 1915.

9. Kenneth Grahame is best remembered as the creator of "The Wind in the Willows". Which of the following is NOT one of the main characters in the story?

Answer: Hedgehog

Kenneth Grahame (1859-1932) was born in Edinburgh. His seminal work, "The Wind in the Willows" was published in 1908. He is also noted for writing "The Reluctant Dragon", first published in 1898. Both films have been adapted many times for stage and film, including Disney adaptations of both films.

10. Which of the following novels by Irvine Welsh does NOT feature the character Mark "Rent Boy" Renton?

Answer: Filth

Irvine Welsh was born in Edinburgh in 1958. After moving to London in 1978 to get involved in the punk scene, he returned to Edinburgh in the late 1980s. His first novel, "Trainspotting" was published in 1993 and in 1996 was adapted into a film starring Ewan McGregor as Mark "Rent Boy" Renton.

A sequel, "Porno", was published in 2002, and a prequel, "Skagboys", was published in 2012. "Filth", published in 1998, was adapted into a film starring James McAvoy in 2013. Welsh's novels are dominated by working class Scots, and feature a lot of recreational drug use.

Source: Author MickeyDGod

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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Literary Scotland Trivia Quiz

For a relatively small nation, Scotland has produced some remarkable people. This quiz is all about Scots who have made a mark on the literature world. Some of these authors may be better known worldwide than others.

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