Scotland only emerged as the land we know it as today over the course of many centuries with all sorts of fascinating ancestry like the Picts, Vikings, Anglo-Saxons, Gaels and Britons, influencing the fabric of our culture.
For this reason, when discussing Scottish kings, it is important to acknowledge the historical nuances in terms of what constituted ‘Scotland’ or even a ‘King’ as some famous Scottish monarchs were more like tribal chiefs.
Traditionally, our kings were crowned in a ceremony involving the legendary Stone of Destiny at Scone Palace. However, it was taken to England by King Edward I and used for the coronation of English monarchs for 700 years before being returned to Scotland in 1996 (inspiring the 2008 film.)
Here are 13 Scottish kings and why we remember them even to this day.
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Robert the Bruce became one of the most revered Scottish warriors of all time following his historic victory at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314). Photo: via WikiCommons
. Kenneth MacAlpin: King of Scots and Picts (843 - 58)
Chronicles of this period of history can be obscure as early sources for Scottish kings relied on oral traditions while written documents didn’t emerge until centuries later. However, many historians argue that Kenneth MacAlpin was the ‘first king’ of Scotland as he ruled over the western seaboard e.g., the Western Isles and Argyll. In 843, MacAlpin took the throne of the Pictish kingdom in eastern Scotland which covered areas like Fife. Despite being fierce tribes, he was at an advantage as Viking raiders and Irish tribes had weakened the Pictish forces. Ultimately, he is credited as the ‘founder of medieval Scotland’ by some for ushering in the age of unification between Gaels and Picts under the Kingdom of Alba. Photo: via WikiCommons
. Donald II: The Madman (889 - 900)
Son of King Constantine I of the Picts and Scots, it is said that Donald II should have taken the throne after the death of his uncle King Aedh. However, subsequent kings Eochaid and Giric ruled after Aedh, so in a bid to gain control Eochaid commissioned Donald to kill Giric and ultimately he did that but also exiled Eochaid, thus claiming the throne for himself. His reign was a violent one, he faced conflict from the Vikings as Sigurd the Mighty took control of northern Scotland. Donald II was also known to fight against Scottish Highlanders. For this reason it is thought he was called ‘the Madman’ by the Prophecy of Berchán in reference to his brutal ravages against the Scots and even the Church. Photo: via WikiCommons
. Constantine II: Ruler of the Kingdom of Alba (900–943)
He was one of the early kings of Alba (Scotland) and his name, Constantine, is anglicised from the Scottish Gaelic Còiseam mac Aoidh i.e., Constantine Mackay. Serving as king from 900 to 943, despite ongoing battles and invasions from Norsemen, this long reign is evidence of his considerable strength. He is well known for pushing Vikings out of Scotland after the Battle of Scone in 904. He also allied with Northumbrians to drive out the Vikings who were living in Northumberland and together they were victorious at the Battle of Corbridge in 918. This resulted in the Kingdom of Alba having a more stable southern border. He also reformed Alba by making the churches more Gaelic-orientated and introducing ‘Mormaer’ which saw ‘sub-kings’ looking after different areas of the kingdom. Photo: via WikiCommons
13. James IV: The last king to die in battle (1488 - 1513)
King James IV claimed the throne at age 15 following the death of his father at the Battle of Sauchieburn. Unlike his father, James IV is considered a ‘successful’ Stewart monarch who was well educated and could speak a variety of European languages and Scottish Gaelic. He led a rebellion against his father but his death weighed heavily on James IV, as penance he wore an iron belt around his waist for the rest of his life. Despite this, under his reign he unified Scotland under royal control and strengthened the country’s ties to European politics. However, when Henry VIII invaded France in 1513, James IV decided to honour the Auld Alliance and led an army to the Battle of Flodden Field where he died. This made him the last monarch in Great Britain to die in battle. Photo: Ann Longmore-Etheridge on Flickr