We tried this Edinburgh quiz from the 1940s and it's absolutely nuggets
| Published date | 26 June 2022 |
Published shortly after VE Day 1945, this collection of 240 capital-related questions will test even the most well-versed Edinburgh scholars. Mind you, it was probably pretty hard for folk in the 1940s too.
Seriously, though, if you're able to nail all these tungsten-tough posers, we can only assume you are eating Alexas for breakfast.
We've pulled together a selection of our favourites from the book. You'll find the answers (yay) at the foot of the page. Please bear in mind that this quiz was made in 1945, so some facts may be out-of-date, e.g. the current location of the Caiy Stane; mention of the North British Station Hotel (now the Balmoral) .
Happy Googling(!), and do let us know how you get on!#
Quiz reproduced with acknowledgement to Graham Macindoe.
Questions
1. Which is the most distant mountain from Arthur's Seat?
2. Whence came the Falcons at the gates to the Zoo?
3. How long is the Water of Leith?
4. In the development of Edinburgh, which came first, the North Bridge or the South Bridge?
5. Who was the George of George Square?
6. Where are George Heriot, George Watson and Daniel Stewart buried?
7. Who was Grindlay of Grindlay Street?
8. Which is the largest church in Edinburgh?
9. Why are the pavements in the Lawnmarket stepped up from the roadway?
10. Where are the Bore Stone, the Buck Stane and the Caiy Stane?
11. What universally-esteemed medicine was first compounded in Auld Reekie?
12. Where is a "garage" for Sedan chairs to be seen?
13. Which is the higher - the Scott Monument or the clock tower of the North British Station Hotel?
14. What are Edinburgh's colours?
15. "Bovril" was born on the Royal Mile. Where?
16. What connection has Wendy of "Peter Pan" with Edinburgh?
17. How many arches form the entrance to the City Chambers?
18. Where in Edinburgh is the last execution in Scotland for highway robbery commemorated?
19. Who put the "Murray" in Murrayfield?
20. Is the Cowgate really higher above sea-level than Princes Street?
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Answers
1. Lochnagar, sixty-eight miles away.
2. From Falcon Hall, built by Lord Provost Coulter in 1780 and demolished 1909. The lodge and entrance gates stood almost opposite the old school...
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