Orkney and Shetland Trivia Quiz

Answer: Mainland

Both island groups have a largest island called Mainland. The respective administrative centres of Orkney and Shetland, Kirkwall and Lerwick, are located on these islands.

Answer: Neolithic

Skara Brae is a UNESCO World Heritage Site which has been nicknamed the "Pompeii of Scotland". It dates from around 3000 BC, and consists of a group of eight roofless houses. It was discovered in 1850 when a storm stripped the soil which had covered it for centuries. The houses contain stone-built furniture and whale bone artefacts.

Answer: Sumburgh

Sumburgh is located at the southern tip of Shetland, around 20 miles from Lerwick. The airport was opened in 1936 and has flight connections from a number of Scottish cities, including Edinburgh and Glasgow. During World War Two, Sumburgh operated as an RAF base.

Answer: Barra

Barra is part of the Outer Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland. Hoy is the second-largest island in Orkney, whilst Fetlar and Yell are two of the larger islands in Shetland.

Answer: Kirkwall Ba' Game

The Kirkwall Ba' Game takes place in the streets of the town with up to 350 people taking part. Participants are divided into two teams, the Uppies and Doonies. The Doonies win if they manage to throw the ball into the sea, whilst the Uppies triumph if they carry the ball round Mackinson's corner at the junction of Main Street and New Scalpa Road.

Answer: Oil

Shetland had an economy based largely on agriculture and fishing for centuries, but the discovery of oil in the North Sea in 1969 changed all that. Sullom Voe is the site of a large oil terminal which opened in 1975, and became the largest in Europe by 1982.

This new industry gave the local economy a massive shot in the arm, with local arts and sports both receiving massive cash injections from oil-based taxation.

Answer: Stromness

Stromness is located some 12 miles west of Kirkwall, and is a port town with a ferry link to Scrabster. The town was used as a base by the Hudson Bay Company in the 18th century, and has a long herring and whale fishing heritage. Away from the harbour, the town is also the site of the annual Orkney Folk Festival.

Answer: Fair Isle

Fair Isle is considered part of Shetland for administrative purposes. As well as being the site of a famous bird observatory, the island is renowned for its knitwear. The multi-patterned jumpers gained fame when the future King Edward VIII began wearing them in the early 1920s.

Answer: Unst

Unst is the third-largest island in Shetland, and the most northerly inhabited island in the British Isles. Skaw is a small settlement and consists of a number of crofts. The islet of Muckle Flugga is home to the UK's northernmost lighthouse, with Out Stack being the northernmost rock.

Answer: World War One

Scapa Flow has a long history as a naval base. In 1919, the German Navy decided to scuttle a fleet of 74 ships which had been interned there, with 52 of them sinking to the bottom of the sea. Forty five were later successfully salvaged by the British, with the remainder becoming a popular destination for scuba divers.