The Scots of Dalriada, Guest Post by Rowena Kinread

THREE BROTHERS
Fergus, Loarn and Angus, Princes of the Dalriada, are forced into exile by their scheming half-brother and the druidess Birga One-tooth.

THREE FATES
Fergus conceals himself as a stable lad on Aran and falls helplessly in love with a Scottish princess, already promised to someone else. Loarn crosses swords against the Picts. Angus designs longboats.

TOGETHER A MIGHTY POWER
Always on the run the brothers must attempt to outride their adversaries by gaining power themselves. Together they achieve more than they could possibly dream of.
Fergus Mór (The Great) is widely recognised as the first King of Scotland, giving Scotland its name and its language. Rulers of Scotland and England from Kenneth mac Alpín until the present time claim descent from Fergus Mór.

Full of unexpected twists and turns, this is a tale of heart-breaking love amidst treachery, deceit and murder.

Early Scotland

My new novel ‘The Scots of Dalriada’ describes how Fergus, the first King to reign over the Dalriada from Scotland, in the 5^th century gradually conquered the Western Coast and Isles of Scotland. It became known as Argyll or the coast of the Gaels.

The 5th century Scotland is a time of significant change and upheaval, with the region undergoing major political, social, and cultural transformations. During this period, Scotland was divided into several small kingdoms that were often in conflict with one another. This post will explore the political and cultural landscape of Scotland in the 5th century, examining the factors that shaped the region during this time.

One of the key political developments of the 5th century Scotland was the emergence of the Picts as a dominant power in the region. The Picts were a confederation of Celtic tribes that had lived in Scotland for centuries, but it was during the 5th century that they began to assert their power and expand their territory. The Picts were known for their fierce resistance to Roman rule, and they continued to resist the influence of the Roman Empire long after it had left Britain. This resistance to Roman rule helped to shape the identity of the Picts, who were proud of their independence and their resistance to outside influence.

Another significant political development of the 5th century Scotland was the emergence of the Dalriadic kingdom. The Dalriada were a Gaelic tribe that had migrated from Ireland to Scotland in the early 5th century, and they quickly established themselves as a powerful force in the region. The Dalriada were instrumental in the spread of Christianity throughout Scotland, and they were known for their skill in warfare and their ability to form alliances with other tribes.

Clach an Tiompain, a Pictish symbol stone in Strathpeffer

The 5th century Scotland was also a time of great cultural diversity, with the region being home to a wide range of different peoples and cultures. The Picts were known for their distinctive art, which included elaborate stone carvings and intricate metalwork. The Dalriada, on the other hand, were known for their oral traditions, with much of their history and culture being passed down through storytelling and song.

One of the most significant cultural developments of the 5th century Scotland was the spread of Christianity. While Christianity had been present in Scotland for centuries, it was during the 5th century that it began to spread rapidly throughout the region. This was due in large part to the efforts of St. Ninian, who is often credited with bringing Christianity to Scotland in the 4th century. However, it was the work of St. Columba, who established a monastery on the island of Iona in the late 6th century, that helped to spread Christianity throughout Scotland and beyond.

Despite these cultural and political developments, the 5th century Scotland was also a time of great instability and conflict. The region was divided into several small kingdoms, each vying for power and influence over the others. This often led to bloody conflicts and wars, with tribes fighting over territory, resources, and political power.

In conclusion, the 5th century Scotland was a time of significant change and transformation, with the emergence of the Picts as a dominant power, the spread of Christianity, and the emergence of the Dalriadic kingdom. However, it was also a time of great conflict and instability, with the region being divided into several small kingdoms that were often at war with one another. Despite these challenges, the 5th century Scotland laid the foundations for the rich and diverse culture and history that is still evident in the region today.

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Meet Rowena Kinread

Rowena Kinread grew up in Ripon, Yorkshire with her large family and a horde of pets. Keen on travelling, her first job was with Lufthansa in Germany.

She began writing in the nineties. Her special area of interest is history. After researching her ancestry and finding family roots in Ireland with the Dalriada clan, particularly this era.

Her debut fiction novel titled “The Missionary” is a historical novel about the dramatic life of St. Patrick. It was published by Pegasus Publishers on Apr.29th, 2021 and has been highly appraised by The Scotsman, The Yorkshire Post and the Irish Times.

Her second novel “The Scots of Dalriada” centres around Fergus Mór, the founder father of Scotland and takes place in 5th century Ireland and Scotland. It is due to be published by Pegasus Publishers on Jan.26th, 2023.

The author lives with her husband in Bodman-Ludwigshafen, Lake Constance, Germany. They have three children and six grandchildren.