The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

CHAP. Ill] OF SCOTLAND 33
A.D. 73G.
Conquest
of Dalriada.
With this year commences a very remarkable
difference between the various chronicles of the
Dalriadic kings. These chronicles consist of what
are generally termed the Latin Lists or Chronicles of several
of the Scottish monasteries written in the twelfth centur>' ; and
of the Albanic Duan, a work composed in the year 1050, and
consequently the oldest and best authority for the list of their
kings. These various lists agree in general down to the flight
of Muredach, and whenever there is any discrepancy between
them, the Albanic Duan is invariably supported by Tighernac,
and the Ulster xA.nnals. After Muredach, however, they differ
altogether, and the two lists are as follows.
Albanic Duan.
Years.
Miiredh 3
Aodh na Ardflailh, 30
Domnall 24
Conaill
Conaill 4
Constantin 9
Aongus
9
Aodha 4
Eoganan
Dungal
Alpin
2
13
Kenneth Mac Alpin . . . .109
7
4
Latin Lists.
Years.
Muredach 3
Ewen 5
Muredach 3
Ewen 3
Hedalbus 30
Fergus
Selvad
3
21
Eooati 30
Dilnoal 7
Alpin 4
Kenneth Mac Alpin . . . .109
On comparing these two lists it will be observed that they
both agree as to the reign of Muredach, and that after him they
differ altogether, both in the names and number of the kings,
until they come to Eoganan, where they once more agree during
the last three reigns. The antiquit) of the Albanic Duan, and
the fact that the amount of the reigns of the different kings
mentioned by it make up exactly the interval between the reign
of Muredach and that of Kenneth, precludes the possibility of
that part of the list not being authentic ;
while at the same time
the number and accordance of the Latin Lists obliges us to
receive their catalogue also as genuine ; consequently, the only
supposition which can be made is, that between the reigns of
C