Breadalbane, Scotland

Breadalbane —from Scottish Gaelic Bràghad Albainn, "the upper part of Alba"—is a region of the southern/central Scottish Highlands, traditionally comprising the watershed of Loch Tay (ie. Glen Dochart, Glen Lochay, and the banks of Loch Tay itself). The Breadalbane Hydro-Electric Scheme lies within the region.The Atholl and Breadalbane Gathering is a popular 2/4 March tune for the Great Highland Bagpipes.HistoryBreadalbane formed one of the traditional provinces of Scotland, surrounded by Atholl, Lorn, Argyll, The Lennox, Menteith, and Strathearn (anti-clockwise from North). The province is referred to by the title of Earl of Breadalbane and Holland (the inclusion of Holland comes from a separate title which was inherited by the same person); later the title was upgraded to Marquess of Breadalbane.The Breadalbane branch of Clan Campbell is the origin of the province as a distinct unit; prior to 1449 the area had been part of Atholl. Colin Campbell (second son of the head of Clan Campbell) was awarded the land by king James II as thanks for capturing the assassins of James I. The Campbells established the area's de-facto independence from Atholl, and in 1681 were rewarded for their loyalty to the royal family by the formal conversion of the area into an independent Earldom, awarded to Colin Campbell's heir.