Kenneth II (971-995)

Cináed mac Maíl Coluim was King of Alba. The son of Máel Coluim mac Domnaill, he succeeded Cuilén mac Iduilb on the latter's death at the hands of Amdarch of Strathclyde in 971.

In 973, the Chronicle of Melrose reports that Cináed, with Máel Coluim mac Domnaill, the King of Strathclyde, "Maccus, king of very many islands" (i.e. the King of Man and the Isles Magnus Haraldsson, called Maccus mac Arailt) and other kings, Welsh and Norse, came to Chester to acknowledge the overlordship of the English king Edgar.

The feud which had persisted since the death of Idulb mac Causantín between his descendants and Cináed's family persisted. In 977 the Annals of Ulster report that "Amlaíb mac Iduilb, i.e. King of Scotland, was killed by Cináed mac Domnaill." The Annals of Tigernach give the correct name of Amlaíb's killer: Cináed mac Maíl Coluim. Thus, even if only for a short time, Cináed mac Maíl Coluim had been overthrown by the brother of the previous king.

Adam of Bremen tells that Sweyn Forkbeard found in exile in Scotland at this time, but whether this was with Cináed, or one of the other kings in Scotland, is unknown. Also at this time, Njal's Saga, the Orkneyinga saga and other sources recount wars between "the Scots" and the Northmen, but these are more probably wars between Sigurd Hlodvisson, Earl of Orkney, and the Mormaers, or Kings, of Moray.

The Chronicle says that Cináed founded a great monastery at Brechin.

Cináed was killed in 995, the Annals of Ulster say "by deceit" and the Annals of Tigernach say "by his subjects". Some later sources, such as the Chronicle of Melrose, John of Fordun and Andrew of Wyntoun provide more details, accurately or not. The simplest account is that he was killed by his own men in Fettercairn, through the treachery of Finnguala (or Fimberhele) daughter of Cuncar, Mormaer of Angus, in revenge for the killing of her only son.

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