Constantine I of Scots Died 877

The picture on this article is a representation from the 18th century of Constantine and bears no resemblance to him.


Causantin Mac Cinaeda died 877. Constantine was a son of Kenneth MacAlpin. Although tradition makes Constantine a king of Scots, it is clear from the entries in the Chronicles of the Kings of Alba and the Annals of Ulster, that he was king of the Picts. He became king in 862 on the death of his uncle Donald MacAlpin.

In 866, the Chronicle states that Pictland — the Annuls of Ulster say Fortriu — was ravaged by Vikings led by Amlaib Conung. The Chronicle claims that Amlaíb was killed by Constantine that year, but this is either incorrectly dated, or a different Amlaíb (Olaf) is intended as the Irish Annals make it clear that Amlaíb Conung was alive long after 866. A date of 874 has been proposed for this event.

In 870, Amlaíb Conung and Ímar captured Alt Clut, chief place of the Kingdom of Strathclyde. The king, Artgal of Alt Clut, was among the many captives.

The Annals of Ulster say that Artgal was killed "at the instigation of Constantine MacAlpin" in 872. Artgal's son Run was married to a sister of Constantine.

In 875, the Chronicle and the Annals of Ulster again report a Viking army in Pictland. A battle, fought near Dollar, was a heavy defeat for the Picts; the Annals of Ulster say that "a great slaughter of the Picts resulted".

Although there is agreement that Constantine was killed fighting Vikings in 877, it is not clear where this happened. William Forbes Skene read the Chronicle as placing Constantine's death at Inverdovat , which appears to match the Proohecy of Berchan.

The account in the Chronicle of Melrose names the place as the "Black Cave" and John of Fordun calls it the "Black Den". Constantine was buried on Iona.

Constantine's Donald and his descendants represented the main line of the kings of Alba and later Scotland