Scottish Island Match Trivia Quiz

Answer: Orkney

Hoy is the second largest island in Orkney, after Orkney Mainland, with an area of around 55 square miles. The island has a population of around 400, with Lyness being the largest settlement. The name Hoy is derived from the Norse for "high island". The most famous feature of the island is the Old Man of Hoy, a 449 feet tall sea stack popular with climbers.

The island can be reached by ferry from Stromness or Houton, both on Orkney Mainland.

Answer: Hebrides

Skye is the largest of the Inner Hebrides with a total area of 639 square miles. It has a population of around 10,500 with the largest settlement being Portree. The island is famous for a range of hills called the Cuillins.

Since 1995, Skye has been connected to the mainland by the Skye Bridge which runs from Kyle of Lochalsh to Kyleakin. Ferries still run to the island for those who don't drive, connecting Mallaig to Armadale, along with Kylerhea to Glenelg.

Answer: Shetland

Yell is the second most northerly island of Shetland, and the second largest, after Mainland, with an area of around 82 square miles. Yell has a population of around 900, with Mid Yell being the largest settlement. The etymology of the island is disputed, with the Old Norse word for "barren" being one theory - most of the island is covered in peat bogs.

The island is connected by ferry from Ulsta to Toft on Shetland Mainland and ones from Gutcher to Belmont on Unst and Oddsta on Fetlar.

Answer: Hebrides

Barra lies at the southern end of the Outer Hebrides. It has a total area of just under 23 square miles, and a population of around 1,200, with Castlebay being the largest settlement. The island is famed for its airport, with Twin-Otter planes actually landing on a 2-mile long beach. Aircraft connect the island with Glasgow, with timetables reliant on when the tide is out!

A ferry service connects Oban on the mainland to Castlebay, as well as one from Ardmohr to the nearby island of Eriskay.

Answer: Shetland

Foula is the westernmost of the Shetland Islands and has an area of less than five square miles. The population of the island in 2025 was a mere 17, with Ham being the "biggest" settlement. The island's name comes from the Old Norse for "bird island".

Folua has its own airfield, with planes connecting the island to Lerwick on Shetland Mainland. There is also a ferry service from Ham to Walls on Shetland Mainland.

Answer: Orkney

Stronsay is located in the eastern Orkney Islands and has a total area of 13 square miles. The island has a population of around 320, with the largest settlement being Whitehall. The island's name comes from the Old Norse for "bay", and it is nicknamed the "Island of Bays" because of its shape, with three large bays.

Stronsay can be reached by ferry from Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland.

Answer: Shetland

Unst is the northernmost inhabited island of not only Shetland but the entire British Isles. The island has an area of 46 square miles and a population of around 650, with Baltasound being the largest settlement. The etymology of the island's name is inconclusive, with the Old Norse for "eagle's nest" being one suggestion. Unst contains the northernmost fortification in the British Isles, the 16th century Muness Castle.

Unst is reached by ferry from Gutcher on the island of Yell, arriving at Belmont.

Answer: Orkney

Papa Westray is one of the more northerly Orkney Islands. The island has an area of just 3.5 square miles and a 2025 population of just under 100, with Backaskaill being the "biggest" settlement. The island's name comes from Old Norse for "big island of the priests". Holland House, a former laird's home, is now a folk museum on Papa Westray.

The island has its own airstrip connecting it to the nearby island of Westray - the flight takes around 90 seconds, making it the world's shortest scheduled commercial flight. The ferry service from Kirkwall on Orkney Mainland takes a bit longer, around two hours.

Answer: Hebrides

Iona is a small island of the Inner Hebrides, situated just west of the much larger island of Mull. It has an area of just under 3.5 square miles, and a population in 2025 of 178. The largest settlement on Iona is Baile Moir. The island is best known for its abbey, founded in the 6th century by St Columba.

Iona can be reached by ferry from Fionnphort on Mull.

Answer: Hebrides

Rum is an island in the Inner Hebrides, southwest of Skye. It has an area of 40 square miles and had a population in 2025 of 31, all of them living in the hamlet of Kinloch. The island's name is pre-Gaelic, meaning "island of the ridge". For a while in the 20th century the island's name was spelled "Rhum", because the then owner didn't want it to be associated with the alcoholic drink of that name. Kinloch Castle is an Edwardian mansion on the island now open to the public.

Rum is reached by ferry from Mallaig on the mainland.