Have a go at our 2023 Caithness sports quiz
Test your knowledge of Caithness-related sporting events and achievements from over the past year by having a go at our 40 questions.
There are no prizes at stake in this fun quiz! The answers are shown at the bottom.
1 A Caithness football select came from behind to beat Sutherland 3-1 in Castletown. What's the name of the trophy awarded to the winners of this long-standing inter-county fixture?
2 Name the Thurso Bowling Club junior convener and committee member who was among the recipients of the Bowls Scotland National Volunteer Awards, recognising those who work tirelessly behind the scenes in the sport.
3 Which former Scotland manager praised the work of Thurso Football Academy when he attended a children’s coaching event followed by a dinner in the town?
4 When North Shore Surf Club won Scotland's inter-club championship at Pease Bay, near Dunbar, it meant they had earned the Gathering of the Clans title for the fourth, fifth or sixth time in a row?
5 “I enjoy scoring against Wick, I'm not going to lie." Which player/manager was speaking after coming off the bench to grab a 90th-minute winner in a Highland League match at Harmsworth Park in February?
6 Who were the Division One champions in Caithness Small Bore Rifle Association's winter league for 2022/23?
7 Name the professional golf coach and YouTube presenter who showcased Thurso's parkland course as part of a 1000-mile charity bike challenge called A Fairway Down!
8 Caithness Krakens rugby team posted a club record 78-17 victory against which team in Caley North Women’s League 2 in September?
9 In April, Wick Academy ended a 13-game winless run with a 3-0 away victory over which team?
10 The first Caithness ladies’ golf open of the season was hosted by Thurso Golf Club. The trophy was donated by the former American base – what is the competition called?
11 Local MP Jamie Stone took up an invitation to throw the first jack of the season at which Caithness bowling club?
12 Caithness Ladies Football Club reached the final of the Scottish Women’s Football Highlands and Islands League Cup, losing 3-1 to which team?
13 "Playing 90 minutes at 57 is not great, but I enjoyed it." Which former Hibernian, Chelsea, Tottenham, Rangers and Scotland striker was speaking after taking part in Wick Academy captain Alan Farquhar's testimonial match at Harmsworth Park in May?
14 A team called Castletown Poachers play in the top division of which league?
15 Which county football trophy was won by Thurso Swifts, beating Lybster in the final?
16 Angus Gunn, son of Thurso-born Bryan, established himself as Scotland's first-choice goalkeeper during the successful Euro 2024 qualifying campaign. At club level Angus plays for Norwich City in the English Championship, but can you name either of the other two teams currently in the same division that he has also turned out for?
17 Which village's indoor bowling club held its first open event in nearly three years, with 29 teams from all over Caithness and north Sutherland contesting the Robbie Campbell Memorial Triples?
18 Who scored a second-half hat-trick for High Ormlie Hotspur in their 6-0 victory over Wick Groats in the Eain Mackintosh Cup final at Recreation Park in Halkirk?
19 Four Caithness players – Sarah-Jane Dunnett, Laina Munro, Hannah Dunnett and Morven Thomson – earned places in the under-16 girls’ and under-18 women’s Scottish squads in which sport?
20 Which football manager admitted his team’s discipline went “out the window” as they had three men sent off during a home defeat to John O’Groats in Caithness AFA Division One?
21 The Caithness Half Marathon was won by David McColl, of Inverness Harriers. The 13.1-mile circuit followed quiet roads starting from which village?
22 Which golfer won the Sportswoman of the Year trophy at the annual awards ceremony held by Caithness Sports Council?
23 Who announced his resignation as manager of North Caledonian League club Thurso, admitting that the decision had been “coming for a while”?
24 Caithness trio Tommy Sutherland, Hamish Coghill and Stevie Campbell guested for which west coast club in the Mondial Rugby Amateur, the inaugural world cup for amateur clubs, held in France?
25 Name the Thurso woman who started a new role as netball development officer for the Perth, Kinross, Dundee and Angus region.
26 Who was chosen as first division player of the year in the Caithness county football league?
27 Which former Caithness rugby coach was chosen to lead the Caledonia Reds in the newly revived Scottish inter-district championships?
28 Isobel Cameron was this year’s winner of the Bambi Award, presented by the Caithness branch of which equestrian organisation?
29 A total of £2000 was handed over to Caithness Voluntary Group, KWK9, Home-Start Caithness and Caithness Klics at which club’s prize-giving?
30 Name the Caithness couple who extended their tenure of the mixed doubles silverware at the Highland Open by making it seven in a row.
31 A team called the Swingers, consisting of Mollie O’Brien, Brent Munro, Lee Malcolm and Leslie Malcolm, won which annual competition held at Reay Golf Club?
32 "I know it's a big challenge but I've got a good support network from the other coaches and the committee." Who was speaking after being appointed as Caithness Rugby Football Club's head coach?
33 A Thurso team captained by Stevie Gray won a divisional championship in a Super 15s competition held at a holiday park near Ayr – in which sport?
34 North Shore Surf Club members Craig McLachlan, from Murkle, and Olivia Mackay, from Portskerra, were among the nine-strong Scottish squad at the world junior championships in which country?
35 In November, Chloe Mackenzie and Arran Johnson each won a treble in the Caithness under-17 championships in which sport?
36 After leaving Hearts, Thurso-born footballer Gary Mackay-Steven signed a short-term deal with which other Scottish Premiership club in December?
37 What did Wick Academy do on December 16 this year for the first time since April 17, 2019?
38 Ken Nicol, Scottish ClubSport’s 2023 Caithness service to sport winner, was a founder member of which club in 1984?
39 What is Halkirk United's current position in the North Caledonian League?
40 In rugby, the Greens' first away win of their league season came against which club?
1 The Portland Bowl. 2 Lynne Swanson. 3 Alex McLeish. 4 Sixth time. 5 Steven Mackay (Nairn County). 6 Wick Old Stagers “A”. 7 Peter Finch. 8 Moray. 9 Turriff United. 10 The Navcommsta Open. 11 Rosebank Bowling Club. 12 Buckie. 13 Gordon Durie. 14 Wick and District Darts League. 15 The Steven Cup. 16 Southampton and Stoke City. 17 Reay. 18 Mark Munro. 19 Rugby. 20 Tom McKenna (Castletown). 21 Watten. 22 Laura Durrand (Thurso Golf Club). 23 Michael Bremner. 24 Oban Lorne. 25 Grace Carson. 26 John Budge (Wick Groats). 27 Colin Sangster. 28 Riding for the Disabled Association. 29 Caithness Autocross Club. 30 Mark and Shona Mackay. 31 The Safari Open. 32 Cameron Boyd. 33 Pool. 34 Brazil. 35 Badminton. 36 Kilmarnock. 37 They had a 0-0 draw in the Highland League (versus Brora in 2019 and Deveronvale in 2023). 38 Pentland Canoe Club. 39 Third. 40 Aberdeen Wanderers.