Alba
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Alba (
Etymology
The term first appears in classical texts as Ἀλβίων Albíōn
As time passed, that kingdom incorporated other territories to its south. It became re-Latinised in the High Medieval period as "Albania" (it is unclear whether it may ultimately share the same etymon as the modern Albania). This latter word was employed mainly by Celto-Latin writers, and most famously by Geoffrey of Monmouth. It was this word which passed into Middle English as Albany, although very rarely was this used for the Kingdom of Scotland, but rather for the notional Duchy of Albany. It is from the latter that Albany, the capital of the US state of New York, and Albany, Western Australia, take their names.
It also appears in the anglicised literary form of Albyn, as in
- And wild and high the 'Cameron's gathering' rose,
- The war-note of Lochiel, which Albyn's hills
- Have heard, and heard, too, have her Saxon foes
Modern uses
BBC Alba, a television channel broadcasting mainly in Scottish Gaelic, was launched in September 2008 as a joint venture between the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) and Gaelic company MG Alba. A new version of Runrig's song Alba (originally on their album, The Cutter and the Clan) was featured on the channel's launch.
In the mid-1990s, the
In 2007, the then
A new welcome sign on the historic
Phrases such as Alba gu bràth may be used as a catch-phrase or rallying cry. It was used in the movie Braveheart as William Wallace encouraged the troops at the Battle of Stirling Bridge.
In March 2021, former first minister of Scotland and leader of the SNP Alex Salmond launched the pro-independence Alba Party, set to contest the 2021 Scottish Parliament elections.[9]
See also
References
- ^ "Alba". Collins English Dictionary. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ^ "Alba". Lexico UK English Dictionary. Oxford University Press. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021.
- ISBN 978-0333567616. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
- ISBN 978-0-7524-9519-4.
- ^ Ancient Greek "... ἐν τούτῳ γε μὴν νῆσοι μέγιστοι τυγχάνουσιν οὖσαι δύο, Βρεττανικαὶ λεγόμεναι, Ἀλβίων καὶ Ἰέρνη, ...", transliteration "... en toutôi ge mên nêsoi megistoi tynchanousin ousai dyo, Brettanikai legomenai, Albiôn kai Iernê, ...", Aristotle: On Sophistical Refutations. On Coming-to-be and Passing Away. On the Cosmos., 393b, pages 360–361, Loeb Classical Library No. 400, London William Heinemann LTD, Cambridge, Massachusetts University Press MCMLV
- ISBN 0-901771-68-6
- ^ "Gaelic added to Scotland strips". BBC News. 24 August 2006. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ^ "Gàidhlig air lèintean rugbaidh na h-Alba". BBC Scotland Alba. 24 June 2008.
- ^ "Alex Salmond becomes leader of new pro-independence Alba Party ahead of Scottish elections". Sky News. Retrieved 27 March 2021.