The Scottish Daily Mail General Knowledge crossword puzzle is a game in the newspaper. It’s like a word puzzle. You fill in words in a grid. The grid has black and white squares. Each white square is for a word going across and a word going down. Clues help you figure out the words. You use your knowledge to fill them in. It’s a fun way to test what you know!
Displays of e.g. a product or film before they are generally available (8)
Answer: PREVIEWS
In the context of products or films, “previews” refer to early showings or presentations before they are officially released to the public. It could be a sneak peek or a demonstration given to a select audience before the general availability.
Amusingly eccentric (6)
Answer: MADCAP
“Madcap” describes someone or something that is amusingly eccentric or wildly unconventional in behavior or style. Scottish Daily Mail Knowledge. It implies a sense of unpredictable or zany behavior.
Failure of a horse to jump a fence in equestrian sport (7)
Answer: REFUSAL
In equestrian sport, particularly in show jumping, a “refusal” occurs when a horse stops or balks at jumping over a fence. It’s a term used to describe the failure of a horse to complete a jump.
Nero was the Romans’ fifth one (7)
Answer: EMPEROR
In Roman history, Nero was one of the emperors. The clue suggests that Nero was the fifth emperor in the line of Roman emperors. Nero was indeed the fifth emperor of Rome, ruling from AD 54 to 68.
Having a rim or boundary of a specified sort (5)
Answer: EDGED
The clue describes something that has a rim or boundary, and the word “EDGED” fits this description. “Edged” means having a border or rim, typically of a specified type or material.
1995 Bond film in which Judi Dench made her debut as M (9)
Answer: GOLDENEYE
“GoldenEye” is a 1995 James Bond film where Judi Dench made her debut as the character M. The clue provides both the year (1995) and the significant role (M) played by Judi Dench in the film.
A perfumed liquid made of essential oils and alcohol (7,5)
Answer: COLOGNE WATER
Cologne water” is a perfumed liquid made of essential oils and alcohol. This type of fragrance is often used as a cologne or perfume, hence the name.
____ Railway, train company whose Night Riviera service runs from London to Penzance (5,7)
Answer: GREAT WESTERN
The blank space is filled by “Great,” and the clue describes a train company known as a railway. The Night Riviera service mentioned in the clue runs from London to Penzance, which is operated by the Great Western Railway company. Therefore, Scottish Daily Mail Knowledge, the answer is “GREAT WESTERN.”
An event in which people engage in collaborative computer programming (9)
Answer: HACKATHON
The clue describes an event where individuals come together to engage in collaborative computer programming. This type of event is commonly known as a “hackathon,” where programmers, developers, and designers work intensively on software projects within a limited time frame, often with a competitive or problem-solving focus.
A beautiful young woman in the Muslim paradise (5)
Answer: HOURI
In Islamic tradition, a “houri” refers to a beautiful young woman who is believed to reside in paradise (Jannah). The concept of houris is often described in Islamic texts as beings of beauty and purity, promised as a reward to righteous believers in the afterlife.
Books of maps or charts (7)
Answer: ATLASES
The clue refers to books containing collections of maps or charts, which are commonly known as “atlases.” Atlases are used for reference and geographical study, providing detailed representations of geographic regions, topography, and various other thematic maps.
Sumptuous or ostentatiously wealthy (7)
Answer: OPULENT
The word “opulent” describes something that is luxurious, lavish, or characterized by great wealth and extravagance. It suggests a lifestyle of abundance and excess, often associated with grandeur and opulence in terms of possessions, surroundings, or experiences.
The Porsche 550 ____, a racing sports car produced from 1953 until 1956 (6)
Answer: SPYDER
The clue refers to a specific model of Porsche racing sports car produced during the 1950s. The Porsche 550 Spyder was indeed a notable racing car manufactured by Porsche from 1953 to 1956. “Spyder” denotes a lightweight open-top sports car design commonly used in racing
A flag or pennant that flows in the wind (8)
Answer: STREAMER
The term “streamer” describes a long, narrow flag or pennant that flows in the wind. Streamers are often used for decorative or celebratory purposes, such as at parties, events, or as part of advertising displays.
Tej, character in The Fast & Furious film series played by rapper Ludacris (6)
Answer: PARKER
The clue refers to a character named Tej, who appears in The Fast & Furious film series. This character is portrayed by the rapper and actor Ludacris. However, it seems there might be an error in the answer provided, as Tej’s last name in the franchise is actually “Parker,” not just “PARKER.”
A model or sculpture of a person (6)
Answer: EFFIGY
An “effigy” is a model or sculpture representing a person, often used for ceremonial or symbolic purposes. Effigies can be made from various materials such as wood, clay, or metal and are commonly used in rituals, protests, or as memorials.
____ 2, Pixar sequel whose voice cast features Phyllis Smith, due for release in 2024 (6,3)
Answer: INSIDE OUT
The blank space is filled by “Inside,” and the clue refers to a Pixar sequel featuring the voice cast of Phyllis Smith. This refers to “Inside Out 2,” the sequel to the successful animated film “Inside Out,” which is scheduled for release in 2024.
A foolish and hopeless search for something unattainable (4,5,5)
Answer: WILD GOOSE CHASE
The clue describes a situation where someone is engaging in a futile pursuit or search for something that is unattainable, much like chasing wild geese. This phrase “wild goose chase” refers to a pointless or fruitless endeavor, often characterized by wasted effort and frustration.
Record label founded by The Beatles in 1968 (5)
Answer: APPLE
The clue refers to the record label “Apple,” which was founded by the iconic British band The Beatles in 1968. The Beatles established Apple Records as a multimedia corporation encompassing music, film, and other ventures. It served as a platform for releasing their own music as well as signing other artists.
A small warship designed for escorting convoys (8)
Answer: CORVETTE
A “corvette” is a type of small warship designed for escorting convoys and conducting patrols. Corvettes are typically smaller and faster than traditional naval vessels, making them suitable for escort duties and coastal defense. They were extensively used during World War II for anti-submarine warfare and convoy protection.
A level space in a garden featuring an arrangement of flower beds (8)
Answer: PARTERRE
A “parterre” refers to a level space in a garden that features an arrangement of flower beds, often laid out in a formal and geometric pattern. Parterres are commonly found in formal gardens and are designed to showcase the beauty of plants and flowers while providing a structured and aesthetically pleasing layout.
Item of footwear named after the victor at the Battle of Waterloo (10,4)
Answer: WELLINGTON BOOT
The clue refers to a type of footwear named after Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington, who was the victor at the Battle of Waterloo. These boots, commonly known as “Wellington boots” or “Wellies,” are waterproof rubber or plastic boots typically worn in wet or muddy conditions.
A large building where goods are stored before distribution for sale (9)
Answer: WAREHOUSE
A “warehouse” is indeed a large building where goods are stored before they are distributed for sale. Warehouses serve as storage facilities for inventory, allowing businesses to manage and organize their stockpiles of goods before they are shipped to retailers or customers.
Highly intellectual or academic types (8)
Answer: EGGHEADS
“Eggheads” is a colloquial term used to describe highly intellectual or academic individuals. It often implies a deep knowledge or expertise in a particular field, particularly in academic or scholarly pursuits.
Peter, author noted for his novel Jaws published in 1974 (8)
Answer: BENCHLEY
The clue refers to Peter Benchley, an author noted for his novel “Jaws,” which was published in 1974. “Jaws” is a thriller novel about a great white shark terrorizing a fictional New England resort town, which became immensely popular and was later adapted into the blockbuster film of the same name.
Night At The ____, fantasy comedy film franchise starring Ben Stiller (6)
Answer: MUSEUM
The blank space is filled by “Museum,” and the clue refers to the “Night at the Museum” film franchise. This fantasy comedy series stars Ben Stiller and involves exhibits at a museum coming to life at night, leading to various adventures and hijinks.
A number of young animals born to an animal at one time (6)
Answer: LITTER
The clue describes the offspring born to an animal at one time, commonly referred to as a “litter.” This term is often used to describe a group of baby animals, such as puppies, kittens, or piglets, born to a mother animal in a single birth.
A river of northeastern France (5)
Answer: AISNE
The clue refers to a river located in northeastern France, known as the Aisne River. The Aisne River is a tributary of the Oise River and is approximately 290 kilometers (180 miles) in length. It flows through the historical region of Champagne and is known for its scenic beauty and historical significance.
