DUNEDIN.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8861, 19 July 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

DUNEDIN.

TO THE EDITOB. Bin, —Anybody that knows history and the Gaelio language will have no doubt whatever as to the origin of tho name Dunedin. Gaelic, of course, was the original language of Scotland. Some even affirm that the Gaelic was opoken 'neath Eden's fair bowers, And then it was koown aa tho language of flowero; It was heard on the hill era •■ tho morningof rain — M'Leod said to Hoau we've bouts of our aln. In Scotland, as well aa in England, there are many places whose names have a Gaelic origin. Edinburgh, however, has an English origin, though it ia the capital of Scotland. Edwin was King of Northumberland from 617 to 633 a.d. The Northumbrian kingdom extended from the Humber to the Tay, the site of the present Edinburgh being near the northern boundary. The hill now called Castle Hill offered a very superior site for a stronghold to protect Edwin's kingdom from his northern neighbours—the Picts. The Picts were a Celtio race speaking the Gaelic language. Edwin having called his fort Edwin'u Burgh, the Gaelic-speaking people would call it " Duu Eiden," when by-and-bye a city grew around the fort it became to be called Edwin' 3 Burgh bb a matter of course. There can be no doubt whatever as to the origin of "Dunedin" being tho literal Gaelio translation of Edinburgh. It is actually nonsense to say that because the face of Castle rock has a brown appearance, such is the origin of the name Dunediu. The Gaelic for " brown " ia " dorm," and for " face " " aodann." The Gaelic is pronounced very soft, and in all esses the adjective comes after the noun. Ido not think that any Gaelic-speaking person would ever for a moment entertain the idea that Duuedin meant a " brown face." If he did I should say it was time his friends took good caro he was properly looked after.— I am, &c, Dunedin, July 18. K. ML.