Cinaed Mac Ailpin

Kenneth MacAlpin

Cinaed Mac Ailpin was, according to Scottish myth the first King of the Scots. He is credited with uniting the various tribes in the Scottish region to form the people who in time became the Scots of today. This made Cinaed Mac Ailpin one of the most important figures in Scottish history.

Cinaed Mac Ailpin is commonly referred to in modern texts as Kenneth MacAlpin, technically this is not incorrect, it is in fact a modernized version. For the duration of this text the the name Cinaed Mac Ailpin will be used.

The origins of Cinaed Mac Ailpin are greatly disputed amongst researchers, meaning there is no exact agreed upon truth, although there are common themes which give an overview of who the man was. Cinaed Mac Ailpin was born sometime after the year 800 AD in Iona, possibly around 810, and he died on the 13th of February 858.

By some it is believed that Cinaed Mac Ailpin was never in fact a King of Argyll, as many claim. Yet it is an undisputed fact that he was a ruler of some sort, or at least a widely recognized and followed figure. If Cinaed Mac Ailpin was not indeed a King, then none the less he did establish his bloodline as an important aspect of Scotland, who would come to be Kings of Scotland, which is an undisputed fact.

Cinaed Mac Ailpin came to Argyll as a warlord figure to obtain it as a “prize”, most probably tempted by the agricultural wealth of Pictland. There are various historic texts which claim various things about the reign of Cinaed Mac Ailpin, unfortunately the sources differ on a number of concepts, most probably due to the alligence or beliefs of its writer. A common belief is that, Cinaed Mac Ailpin was King of the Dal Riada for two years before also becoming a Pictish King in 843. Other sources claim Cinaed Mac Ailpin as the King of Alba only. Most commonly it is believed that both these ideas are correct, meaning that Cinaed Mac Ailpin united these tribes, most probably by the elimination their leaders.

For those who are interested in the history of Scotland, the truth is at your discretion. Although, undeniably Cinaed Mac Ailpin was a ruler of some sort around the time of 840. He was originally similar to a warlord who used his power with the effect of uniting a number of groups including the Picts and the Dal Riada. He created a dynasty which would come to rule Scotland after his death.

Kenneth MacAlpin died on Feb 13th, 858 in Forteviot and was buried on Iona.

Unfortunately many uncertainties lie around the life of Cinaed Mac Ailpin. Although his life can be looked at in general terms, which allows you to see the significance he had on the development of Scotland.