In his book, The Farfarers, Mowat provides a semi-anecdotal, but historically detailed, account of the "Albans" of ancient Scotland and their close relationship to the sea, the walrus ivory trade, and the islands beyond Britain (Iceland), and eventually goes on to assert that it was these people who became the first Europeans to travel to the New World. These Ablans, according to Mowat, had established both the existence and natural value of Iceland (Thule) before even the Celtic invasions of Britain and the defeat of Vercingetorix of Gaul. I find Mowat's arguments to be quite convincing, but I am aware that his views are controversial as they contradict the established history of Norse expansion. I am certainly no expert, so I'm just looking for opinions on the matter and wondering if there are others who share his beliefs.