Series 1 > Loyall dissuasive

INTRODUCTION
Ixxv
in power preceded that title). No doubt there was valuable
consideration and dignity attached to the custody of so potent
a relic, but it had not come into the hands of this clan by
power or purchase. There must have been some racial con¬
nection. Have we any indications of this ?
In the history of the Scots and Piets we at once recognise
the importance of the work of St. Columba and Iona. For
one hundred and fifty years after the conversion of Brude,
the Pictish king, there was no fighting between these races.
Columban foundations covered his kingdom, and the children
of the land were taught within them. At the end of this
period Nectan, taking up Roman views, expelled, in 717, the
Iona clergy from his domains. There was much fighting
among the Piets themselves for one reason or another, and
Nectan, after retiring to the cloister, had to come forth again
and fight. He was killed in this civil war by Angus, son of
Fergus, who succeeded him at Scone.1 Angus became a very
hammer of the Scots, who in the interval had been carrying
on a civil war of their own, Cinel Gabran against Cinel Loarn.
Driven by Angus to desperation, Murdach, chief of Cinel
Loarn, made a diversion into the enemies’ country, and was
routed by Talorcan, the brother of Angus, at Carriber, near
Falkirk. Eventually Angus drove the chiefs of Dalriada
from their country with all their following. The Gabran
chief fled to Galloway, and Murdach went north from Lome
into the fastnesses of Lochaber, or beyond them. Here
he made friends with the northern Piets, who were at con¬
tinual war with the southern Piets, whom Angus represented.
Murdach is credited with only three years’ reign over Dalriada ;
but he must have lived for some time as a prince in Lochaber,
and have established a portion of Cinel Loarn there. It is
through him we get some possible links with the end of our
quest. The clan Murach, Murich, or Vurich, the most ancient
1 The fires of charity were heaped upon Nectan’s head, if it be true that the
forgiving monks buried him in Iona.