Kenneth mac Alpin - King of the Picts

King of Dalriada (841) and of Pictland (843); King of Scotia (c.843 - 858).

Descended from Fergus, King of Dalriada (d.781) and a Norse Queen. Kenneth's enemies were Picts, Britons, Anglicans and Norse. His headquarters was at Scone (c.840).

Moved relics of St. Columba to Scone (c.848) and established an ecclesiastical centre at Dunkeld (c.849).

Having driven out the Viking pirates Kenneth is famous for imposing his power on Picts, whom he had subjugated by 850. To solidify his position, he married one daughter to Olaf, King of Dublin, and another daughter to Rhun, King of Strathclyde (son).

Kenneth was succeeded by his son Constantine I; and is buried on the sacred Isle of Iona.