The affectation of using the form Alba in the English rendering of the name was first introduced by the late Dr. O’Donovan, and has been adopted without much consideration by some Scottish writers; but the late Professor O’Curry, an equally accurate Irish scholar, invariably used the form Alban, and the author prefers retaining this conventional form.
[3]. Haec autem (Hibernia) proprie patria Scotorum est.—Bede, Hist. Ec. B. i. c. i.
[4]. The first proposition is clearly established by the following catena of authorities:—
Sixth Century.
Isidorus Hispalensis. Origines.
Scotia eadem et Ibernia, proxima Britanniae insula.... Unde et Ibernia dicta. Scotia autem quod ab Scotorum gentibus colitur appellata.—Lib. xiv. c. vi.
Theodoric. Vita S. Rumoldi, 1st July.—Surius, tom. vii. p. 563.
Movit hoc ab ortu Ægyptus et India ad occasum alter pene orbis Britannia cum adjacente Scotia. Tota insula Scotiae mirabatur.
Seventh Century.
Ravennatis Anonymi Cosmographia.