Portrush Trail Mail

Welcome to your next Trail Mail challenge! This time, we're popping to the fab seaside resort of Portrush (Port Rois/Tha Port), where more clues can be cracked.

This is the fourth instalment of the 2023 Trail Mail Challenge. For information on the prizes, the leaderboard and past puzzles, visit the main page here.

There are three clues set on the following image - one easy peasy, one mind twister and one brain buster. How many can you solve?

Top tip: Open the image in a new tab or save it to your device so you can zoom in.

Image: By Path to Ramore Head, Portrush by Kenneth Allen, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=117810039 - cropped

How many letters in the top sign do not appear in the bottom sign?

Note down all the numbers on the sign and treat each number individually.

If 26 = Z, 25 = Y, etc., convert them into letters and write them in alphabetical order. What is the third letter?

Which school subject is hidden in the sign (no acronyms)?

The closing date for Portrush Trail Mail entries was Friday 5th January 2024.

You can find the answers for the Portrush Trail Mail challenge by clicking the button below.

Portrush, known as Port Rois in Irish and Tha Port in Ulster Scots, is a seaside resort known for its beautiful beaches and fantastic family-friendly entertainment. With stunning sea views, fantastic food options and proximity to must-see attractions like Giant's Causeway and the Carrick-a-Rede Bridge, Portrush is a brilliant town to explore. Just make sure you grab a seat on the iconic Ferris wheel to get the best views!

On the Portrush treasure hunt Trail, you'll bravely travel through the winding streets, along the waterfront and past the attractions as you search for the long-lost Spanish gold.

Portrush was once home to "the first long electric tramway in the world", which was 9.25 miles long. The Giant's Causeway Tramway would carry passengers from the town up to the stunning Giant's Causeway, following the pretty coastline and passing key sites like White Rocks Beach, Dunluce Castle and Bushmills. The section to Bushmills opened in 1833 and was extended to the causeway in 1887, but sadly the line was closed and dismantled in 1949.

However, it's not all bad news. Two-mile extension route was reopened in 2002 under the Giant's Causeway and Bushmills Railway, a not-for-profit organisation. The heritage railway now takes passengers from Bushmills to the Giant's Causeway on weekends and during the summer months, using diesel-powered locomotives. Find out more here.