Kings & Clans

Following the Vikings invasion of the late 800's and 900's, four tribes united under Scottish Kings such as Kenneth Mac Alpin. Mac Alpin was considered the first King of Scotland because he brought the Scots and the Pics together in 843.

His descendants succeeded in gaining limited control over rival kings and feuding Clans.

One King was briefly unseated and the dynasty was Mac Beth of Moray who killed Duncan, a descendant of Mac Alpin in 1040. Mac Beth ruled for seventeen years before being killed by Duncans' sons. (He appears to be a lot more cunning than Shakespeares version of him!)

Eventually, the Scots gave their name to the land and their people but the Kings often ruled by their names only. In the Highlands, local Clans kept their independents.