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Home » Early monarchs » King Indulf (r. 954-962): A king in Scotland

King Indulf (r. 954-962): A king in Scotland

Indulf, son of Constantine II, was King of Alba (Scotland) from 954-962.  It is symptomatic of the Scandinavian authority in Scotland at the time that his name and that of his two sons Olaf and Culen were Norse in origin.


Indulf’s reign marked a period of renewed Viking aggression and there are some records of the destruction of a Viking fleet by Indulf at Cullen, Banffshire.

  • King Culen (r. 966-971)

Some sources, which may be unreliable, said that he had been King of Strathclyde in the reign of his predecessor (Malcolm I).

Edinburgh retaken

The Chronicles of the Kings of Alba said, “In his time oppidium Eden (Edinburgh) was evacuated, and abandoned to the Scots right up to the present day.”

Some sources have this retaking of Edinburgh from the Northumbrians (lost after the Battle of Brunanburh) as a single event, others have it as part of a longer and wider process.

St Oran's Chapel, Iona
St Oran’s Chapel, Iona

Killed by a Norse host

Unsurprisingly the place of his death is also a matter of debate. 

Professor Dauvit Broun of Glasgow University says, “He was killed in 962 by a Norse host at Invercullen, probably Cowie near Stonehaven (which was important strategically) or Cullen Banffshire.

He may be buried on the Island of Iona.

Indulf was succeeded by Dubh, son of Malcolm I.


The British Royal Family – more information

If your interest in British royalty goes beyond Scotland’s earliest kings and queens, see the official British Monarchy website for lots of additional information.

Find out more about some of the people and places associated with the kings and queens of Scotland

Mary queen of Scots: Crichton Castle

Crichton Castle: a brief history

Read moreCrichton Castle: a brief history

Huntingtower Castle: House of Ruthven

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Dunfermline Abbey and Palace

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