QUIZ & CROSSWORD
Test your countryside knowledge.
1. According to folklore, what does an aspen leaf under the tongue bestow?
a) Pain relief b) Wisdom c) Eloquence d) Beauty
2. Conservationist Sir Peter Scott was named after which famous fictional character?
a) Peter Pan b) Peter Rabbit c) Peter Piper d) Peter Parker
3. What does the Shetland term ‘the Mirrie Dancers’ refer to?
a) The Highland reel b) The Northern Lights c) Sea pinks d) Shetland ponies
4. Both Braemore and St Catherine’s Hill in Hampshire have examples of a ‘mismaze’ – what is it?
a) A medieval chapel b) A Celtic cross c) A turf maze d) A stone circle
5. Which traditional item was banned in 1644?
a) Flower garland b) Maypole c) Plum pudding d) Marmalade
6. In Old English, May was known as ‘Thrimilice’, meaning what?
a) Mud month b) Month of the high moon c) Thunder month d) Month of three milkings
7. What colour legs does the black guillemot have?
a) Yellow b) Black c) Blue d) Red
8. Bonxie is another name for which seabird?
a) White-tailed eagle b) Gannet c) Great skua d) Osprey
9. Which wildflower is pictured, left?
a) Common spotted orchid b) Knapweed c) Meadowsweet d) Great burnet
10. The ghost of whom is said to roam Ardrossan Castle on stormy nights?
a) Robert the Bruce b) William Wallace c) Robert Roy d) Bonnie Prince Charlie
11. Queen Boudica and the Iceni tribe lived 2,000 years ago in an area corresponding with which modern county?
a) Wiltshire b) Derbyshire c) Devon d) Norfolk
12. Around half the world’s population of which seabird nests on Skomer Island?
a) Manx shearwaters b) Razorbills c) Atlantic puffins d) European storm petrels
13. Which island was called Vectis by ancient Romans?
a) Isle of Man b) Anglesey c) Isle of Wight d) Arran
14. Roughly how many grouse are shot for sport in Britain every year?
a) 15,000 b) 50,000 c) 350,000 d) 500,000
15. What is ‘ichor’?
a) A fragrant, harmless gas b) Fungal spores c) Fluid that runs in the veins of mythical Greek gods
d) A type of mountain ice