IanC--with respect, Ian, I stated that Strathclyde was never part of NORTHUMBRIA. I stand by that. My reference to the spoken language is borne out by historical record besides the still-extant place-names. And, for the record, I am in total agreement with those who deplore the willy-nilly use of the label "Celtic". There has been a trend in recent years, however, to indulgence in some kind of compulsion to denigrate all things Celtic. The reason for this is obscure, though evidence of it is unmistakeable. Perhaps it arises from some conscious or unconscious resentment of the success of culture and music which is claimed as "Celtic' by the proponents of the culture. In support of the "homogenous" theorists, by the way, some of the prominent Highland Scottish clans have their origins in the Norman conquest. Frazers, Colquhouns, Menzies and Gordons all were Norman in origin. My own name [which I wont reveal!] is Scandinavian via Normandy, and was first recorded in Aberdeen and Angus [shout "moo!" and I'll slay ye!] in the 11th century. Finally, I love Celtic music and song, and spend a lot of time playing it and singing it. And I always had the impression [perhaps wrong] that "the Twa Corbies" ---which is NOT a celtic song---was like Jock o' Hazeldean; another song from a different culture half-inched by Wattie Scott only this time not from Ireland but from the French "Les Deux Corbeax".