Alba

Beltane is said to refer to the Celtic sun god, Belenus, and ancient Celts would light two bonfires on this day (May 1) as it was said to increase their fertility and encourage their crops to grow. It was said this date was chosen as it marks the midway point between the Vernal (Spring) equinox and summer solstice. Many other traditions on May 1 have been observed in Scotland for centuries, such as young girls who would rise early that day to wash their faces in the May dew as it was said to offer them good luck.

Spring in Scotland: 9 ancient traditions and Celtic customs of Scottish Spring

CEO Rod Ashley says: 'Alba is an opportunity to design a bank specifically with [SMEs] in mind, helping them to realise their true potential'. Picture: contributed.

Jim McColl's challenger bank Alba cheers being awarded banking licence

(left to right) Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf taking part in the SNP leadership hustings at Eden Court, Inverness.

Analysis: Attacks on the media aim to hide each candidate's fatal flaws

'S e Kara Hanlon tè dhe na snàmhadairean as fheàrr ann an Alba.

Tha leasan cudromach anns na Geamaichean Eileanach

Tha an gnìomhachas a' cumail taic ri 12,000 cosnadh, glè thric anns na coimhearsnachdan iomallach.

Bu chòir co-dhiù cothrom na fèine a thoirt do ghnìomhachas a’ bhradain

Tha Riaghaltas na h-Alba air co-chomhairleachaidh a chur air dòigh air margaidh an fhearainn.

Tha cruaidh feum air gluasad air margaidh an fhearainn

Nuair a thig e gu poileasaidhean a bhios toirt taic dha obair àiteachais san àm ri teachd, chan eil dol as air nach bidh barrachd cuideam dha chur air an àrainneachd.

Tha cothrom ann taic àiteachais fhaighinn ceart - Murray MacLeòid

Alex Salmond, leader of the Alba Party, with Aberdeenshire Council candidates (left to right) Iain Cameron, Trish McPherson and Charlotte Cross.

Salmond says Alba results 'very disappointing' as 'best hope' polls 274 votes

Tha luchd an airgid airson brath a ghabhail air an taic a tha ri faighinn ann an Alba airson a dhol 'uaine'

Tha margaidh an fhearainn air a dhol a-mach à rian

Alex Salmond is embroiled in a planning battle over a large Yes sign on his property.

Alex Salmond takes on local council in 'Yes' sign row

Alex Salmond at his ALBA Party Spring Conference at Hampden. (Picture credit: John Devlin)

Alba will field 100 candidates in local elections

Alba Party Leader and former First Minister Alex Salmond and former SNP MP Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, who jointly runs the production company behind Mr Salmond's RT programme, which he cancelled after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Alex Salmond refuses to comment on future of his talk show as RT shut down in UK

Pro-independence protesters hold up Scottish National Party (SNP) emblems as they join a march organised by the grassroots organistaion All Under One Banner calling for Scottish independence in Glasgow in 2020

'No work' on independence case undertaken by Scottish Government since election

Alex Salmond posted the video today

Alex Salmond questions enthusiasm within Holyrood for indyref2

Another former SNP MSP has defected to Alba

Former SNP MSP defects to Alba over 'lack of progress' on independence

A rally of independence supporters held at Glasgow Green. Picture: John Devlin

Scottish independence supporters could take to London streets in referendum push

Alba Party leader Alex Salmond. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Scottish independence already slipping off political agenda – Alex Salmond

Neale Hanvey, who defected from the SNP to join the new Alba Party

Alba's Neale Hanvey brands former SNP colleagues ‘toxic, aggressive and hostile’

Did the Alba Party, led by former first minister Alex Salmond, have any impact on the final results?

Did Alba and All for Unity impact the result and were the polls right?

Alba Party leader Alex Salmond poses for a picture with Kenny MacAskill in the Edinburgh boxing gym of former world champion Alex Arthur (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Why the Alba Party are not going away – Kenny MacAskill MP

Alex Salmond on the campaign trail for Alba this month. Where now for the former First Minister following the party's dismal show at the ballot boxes? Picture: PA.

What next for Alex Salmond after failure of Alba at the ballot box?

Alba party leader Alex Salmond in Ellon as votes continue to be counted for the Scottish Parliamentary Elections at the P&J Live/TECA, Aberdeen. Picture: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire

Salmond says Sturgeon 'too cautious' on indy and predicts more SNP defections

Live updates on Scotland's election count.

Scottish Election 2021 RECAP: Updates as SNP eyes Holyrood majority

Alba Party leader Alex Salmond on his phone as votes are being counted for the Scottish Parliamentary Elections at the P&J Live/TECA, Aberdeen. PIC: PA.

Alex Salmond may not lead Alba after election following poor show at ballot box

Scottish Elections 2021: Alex Salmond says success of Alba is 'registering as a party'. (Picture credit: Andrew Milligan/PA Wire)

Alex Salmond says success of Alba is 'registering as a party'

Alex Salmond, Alba Party leader, during a visit to the Scotsman Lounge in Edinburgh on the campaign trail for the forthcoming Scottish Parliamentary Election on May 6 (Photo: Jane Barlow/PA Wire).

Alba appeals to ‘independence family’

Scotland should go for a “clean break” over debt with the UK during any independence talks, Alex Salmond has told a newspaper.

Salmond claims independent Scotland should be free from UK debt

Pete Wishart has labelled the Alba’s aim of achieving a pro-independence supermajority at Holyrood “absolute b***ocks”.

Pete Wishart declares Alba Party’s super-majority claims ‘absolute b***ocks’

Margaret Lynch.

Alba Party report ‘threatening’ tweet to police

An Alba party has been criticised for her statements on organisations she claim are campaigning to lower the age of consent.

Alba candidate criticised for 'dangerous' claims about age of consent

Nicola Sturgeon and Alex Salmond have clashed over a strategy for independence

Fewer than one in five Scots rank independence one of most important issues

Nicola Sturgeon could miss out on a majority due to the tactics of her former mentor, Alex Salmond.

Analysis: Sturgeon's worst nightmare as Salmond scuppers majority hopes

Alex Salmond has accused the BBC of “retrying” the criminal case against him, after he was challenged over his conduct as a parliamentarian.

Salmond accuses BBC of 'retrying’ sexual assault case in heated interview

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