How much do you know about the Scottish Highlands and islands? Take our quiz to find out …

Stromness village in the Orkney islands. Photograph: Nicola Colombo/Getty Images/iStockphoto

1. How many Scottish islands are there?

   1. Approximately 990.

   2. Approximately 790.

   3. Approximately 590.

2. No visit to the Highlands and islands is complete without enjoying the uisge beatha, but what does that mean in Gaelic?

   1. Wild swimming.

   2. Langoustines.

   3. Water of life.

3. What is a “capercaillie”?

   1. It’s a Gaelic toast — the equivalent of “Cheers!”

   2. It’s a Scottish bird that looks a bit like a black turkey and inhabits the Highlands.

   3. It’s a Hebridean beastie — a bit like a brownie (household spirit) but less malicious.

4. Which word might an Orcadian use to describe a windy day?

   1. Hoolan.

   2. Peely-wally.

   3. Sassenach.

5. Where can you find the prehistoric and Norse settlement Jarlshof, which is regarded as one of the most remarkable archaeological sites ever excavated in the British Isles?

   1. Shetland (in Sumburgh, Mainland).

   2. Orkney (on the west coast of Mainland).

   3. Caithness, in the Highlands.

6. What Scottish fish is the main ingredient in cullen skink, a local delicacy in Moray Speyside?

   1. Salmon.

   2. Haddock.

   3. Pollock.

7. What is Robert Burns’s heart doing, right now?

   1. It’s in the Isle of Harris, watching eagles.

   2. It’s in Papa Westray, hunting orca.

   3. It’s in the Highlands, a-chasing the deer.

8. Mary Queen of Scots famously described Beauly Priory near the village of Beauly, Inverness as:

   1. Beau lieu.

   2. La barraque.

   3. Une blague.

9. What is the Isle of Cumbrae known as?

   1. The island of a hundred hot air balloons.

   2. The island with the world’s first haggis fusion restaurant.

   3. The island of a thousand bicycles.

10. The Strathisla Distillery in the town of Keith, Moray Speyside, holds the Guinness world record for the oldest, active scotch whisky distillery. But when was it founded?

    1. 1562.

    2. 1786.

    3. 1883.

Solutions

1:B - Most visitors to Scotland only visit one or two of these islands, but you don't have to follow the herd this autumn, read on for some inspiration for your next trip., 2:C - Or, in other words, whisky. Enjoy a dram at the Dornoch whisky festival, the Highlands’ finest whisky-centric knees up, on 27-29 October., 3:B - Notably found in the pine forests of Badenoch and Strathspey in Cairngorms national park., 4:A - You may well experience one hiking along the cliffs of Mull Head on Mainland, the largest of Orkney’s 20 inhabited islands., 5:A - Visitors to this extraordinary site can learn about more than 4,000 years of human history. , 6:B - The dish, a thick soup made from smoked haddock, potatoes and onions, takes its name from the town of Cullen., 7:C - Take a trip to Cairngorms national park this autumn to discover why the mountains ‘high-cover’d with snow’, captivated the bard’s spirit., 8:A - Which is French for ‘a beautiful place'. Founded in 1230, visitors can step back in time exploring this historic ruin., 9:C - Its flat 10.25 mile circular coastal road and winding higher trails, along with few cars being present on the island, make it ideal for cyclists., 10:B - If you’re a whisky enthusiast or interested newcomer, you can visit Strathisla to taste some rare drams and create your own blended whisky.

Scores

1. 10 and above.

   Congratulations! Your knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands is unparalleled. Reward yourself with a trip there this autumn, where you can borrow one of Cumbrae’s thousand bicycles, sup on “skink” soup in Cullen and deploy the Orcadian term for “blowing a gale” if it’s a bit windy out when you’re on a selkie-spotting trip.

2. 9 and above.

   Congratulations! Your knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands is unparalleled. Reward yourself with a trip there this autumn, where you can borrow one of Cumbrae’s thousand bicycles, sup on “skink” soup in Cullen and deploy the Orcadian term for “blowing a gale” if it’s a bit windy out when you’re on a selkie-spotting trip.

3. 8 and above.

   Congratulations! Your knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands is unparalleled. Reward yourself with a trip there this autumn, where you can borrow one of Cumbrae’s thousand bicycles, sup on “skink” soup in Cullen and deploy the Orcadian term for “blowing a gale” if it’s a bit windy out when you’re on a selkie-spotting trip.

4. 7 and above.

   Congratulations! Your knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands is unparalleled. Reward yourself with a trip there this autumn, where you can borrow one of Cumbrae’s thousand bicycles, sup on “skink” soup in Cullen and deploy the Orcadian term for “blowing a gale” if it’s a bit windy out when you’re on a selkie-spotting trip.

5. 6 and above.

   Congratulations! You have acquired an impressive knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands, which can only be enhanced by a trip there this autumn. From the explosion of colours in the Cairngorms national park to selkie spotting off Scapa Flow, this is the perfect time of year to see Scottish fantasy in reality — so get booking!

6. 5 and above.

   Congratulations! You have acquired an impressive knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands, which can only be enhanced by a trip there this autumn. From the explosion of colours in the Cairngorms national park to selkie spotting off Scapa Flow, this is the perfect time of year to see Scottish fantasy in reality — so get booking!

7. 4 and above.

   Congratulations! You have acquired an impressive knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands, which can only be enhanced by a trip there this autumn. From the explosion of colours in the Cairngorms national park to selkie spotting off Scapa Flow, this is the perfect time of year to see Scottish fantasy in reality — so get booking!

8. 3 and above.

   Oh dear … your knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands could do with some improvement – and what better way than heading there this autumn to experience it yourself? From spotting natural wonders (from golden eagles to the northern lights) to experiencing local delights (from regional dialects to whisky), it’s sure to be a trip to remember.

9. 2 and above.

   Oh dear … your knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands could do with some improvement – and what better way than heading there this autumn to experience it yourself? From spotting natural wonders (from golden eagles to the northern lights) to experiencing local delights (from regional dialects to whisky), it’s sure to be a trip to remember.

10. 0 and above.

    Oh dear … your knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands could do with some improvement – and what better way than heading there this autumn to experience it yourself? From spotting natural wonders (from golden eagles to the northern lights) to experiencing local delights (from regional dialects to whisky), it’s sure to be a trip to remember.

11. 1 and above.

    Oh dear … your knowledge of the Scottish Highlands and islands could do with some improvement – and what better way than heading there this autumn to experience it yourself? From spotting natural wonders (from golden eagles to the northern lights) to experiencing local delights (from regional dialects to whisky), it’s sure to be a trip to remember.

Autumn is the perfect season to discover the unique Spirit of Scotland’s Highlands and Islands. Start planning your trip at discoverhighlandsandislands.scot