Dr. Alan Macniven, a senior lecturer and head of the Scandinavian Studies department at the University of Edinburgh, joins Lexie to discuss whether learning Old Norse is a requirement to study the Vikings, the importance of place names in Scotland & Ireland, and why Vikings have a bad reputation as raiding barbarians when everyone else did it too. So tuck in your togas and hop aboard Trireme Transit for this week’s exciting odyssey! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram or visit our website www.theozymandiasproject.com!
Originally recorded March 25, 2021.
Note: Dr. Macniven suggests a nice Laphroaig Islay malt as a good listening companion to this podcast and this episode in particular. Get a bottle of the suggested whiskey here: https://www.laphroaig.com/en/shop-global/whiskies. Just remember - don't drink it 'neat', or with ice. Remember to add a splash of water to help bring the flavour out!
As an expert in place-names, Dr. Macniven further explained, “While derived from a local Gaelic place-name meaning 'The Hollow of Proaig', it appears to build on an earlier Viking place-name, ‘Breiðvík’, meaning 'Broad Bay', which accurately describes the topography.”
Impress your peers with either of the following toasts: Slàinte Mhath (pronounced slanj-a-va) meaning 'good health' in Gaelic or the Scandinavian Skál (pronounced scowl). Cheers!
Learn more about Dr. Macniven: https://www.ed.ac.uk/profile/alan-macniven
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