Causantín mac Cináeda was a king of the Picts. He is often known as Constantine I in reference to his place in modern lists of Scottish monarchs, but contemporary sources described Causantín only as a Pictish king. A son of Cináed mac Ailpín, he succeeded his uncle Domnall mac Ailpín as Pictish king following the latter's death on 13 April 862. It is likely that Causantín's reign witnessed increased activity by Vikings, based in Ireland, Northumbria and northern Britain. He died fighting one such invasion.
c. 1733 Engraving of King Causantín mac Cináeda made by Richard Cooper, the elder
A signboard in Fife, Scotland concerning Causantín.
"Constantine's Cave" - also known as the Nigra Specus ("Black Cave") - at Balcomie near Crail in Fife, Scotland: the supposed death place of Causantín.
Kenneth MacAlpin or Kenneth I was King of Dál Riada (841–850), and King of the Picts (843–858) of likely Gaelic origin. He inherited the throne of Dál Riada from his father Alpín mac Echdach, founder of the Alpínid dynasty. Kenneth I conquered the kingdom of the Picts in 843–850 and began a campaign to seize all of Scotland and assimilate the Picts, for which he was posthumously nicknamed An Ferbasach. He fought the Britons of the Kingdom of Strathclyde and the invading Vikings from Scandinavia. Forteviot became the capital of his kingdom and Kenneth relocated relics, including the Stone of Scone from an abandoned abbey on Iona, to his new domain.
18th century depiction by Alexander Bannerman
Illustration of Kenneth MacAlpin by Jacob de Wet II, 1684–1686
Illustration of the Stone of Scone in the Coronation Chair at Westminster Abbey, 1855
