Brewer's: Albin

A name at one time applied to the northern part of Scotland, called by the Romans “Caledonia.” This was the part inhabited by the Picts. The Scots migrated from Scotia in the North of Ireland, and acquired mastery under Kenneth M'Alpin in 843. In poetry Scotland is called Albin.

Gaelic, ailp; Keltic, alp, our Alps. Alpin is either Ailp-ben son of the hills, i.e., the hill country, or Alp-inn (hilly island), Albania means the “hilly country.”

Woe to his kindred, and woe to his cause, When Albin her claymore indignantly draws.

Campbell: Lochiel's Warning.

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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