Series 1 > Loyall dissuasive

Ixxxvi
THE LOYALL DISSUASIVE
over it was concerned had been gifted to Thorfinn by his
grandfather, Malcolm. Thorfinn routed Moddan, and though
he was supported by Duncan, his army was destroyed, and he
himself slain at Thurso. Duncan was routed at Torfness in
August 1040. Macbeth was Duncan’s general, but allied
himself eventually with Thorfinn, and slew Duncan at Bothna-
gowan (now Pitgaveny), near Elgin, 14th August 1040. His
reign, according to Sir Archibald Dunbar,1 lasted five years
eight months and twenty-one days. Macbeth held one half
of Scotland, and Thorfinn the other half. Macbeth and he
seem to have died in the same year, 1057, the former by the
sword at Lumphanan, in Mar, 15th August.
The Moray men then dragged Lulach, now about twenty-
six years old, from his solitude in the Castle of Mamore, on
Lunn Da Bhra, set him on the royal seat at Scone in 1057,
and in March 1058 he was slain in Strathbogie ‘ by stratagem
of Malcolm Ceannmore.’ His reign lasted seven months. He
was buried in Iona. Malcolm Ceannmore, the son of the late
Duncan, became King of Scotland as Malcolm m. Who was
Maormore of Moray after Lulach ? His son, Malsnectai, could
not be more than six or seven years old, and being under age
could not reign. Eventually he became Maormore, and was
driven out from his territory by Malcolm Ceannmore in 1078,
ending his days as a monk in 1085. He gave lands to the Abbey
of Deer.2 Who succeeded Lulach ? Was it Gilliechattan Mor,
now very aged, or his son, Neadhtan? Neachtan’s son was
Heth or Head, sometimes called Eth, but at Lulach’s death
he was only about the age of Malsnectai; subsequently he
1 Scottish Kings, by Sir Archibald Dunbar—an admirable compilation.
2 The entry in the Book of Deer, Preface, p. li, is translated ‘ Malcolum, son
of Maelbrigte, gave the Delete. Malsnecte, son of Luloeg, gave Pett Malduib to
Drostan.’ The Malcolm here mentioned slew our Finlay, and the gift may have
been ‘peace-money.’ Malsnectai was pious, and became a monk. His grand¬
father, Gillacomgan, united with Malcolm in the slaughter of their uncle Finlay.
Did Malsnecte make this offering for the soul of his grandfather hurried out of
the world by fire ?