THE FOUR KINGDOMS

During the 11th century Scotland was not a single entity — rather a collection of independent kingdoms

MORAY

A fiercely independent kingdom within Scotland, it inhabited most of the Highlands and served as a buffer between the king of Scotland and the lords of the Isles. Although its rulers were usually subservient to the king, many Moray rulers fought on until the region was suppressed for good by David I in 1130.

ALBA

Another name for the kingdom of Scotland, this was the seat of the king. Ongoing tensions between Alba and Moray would shape the political landscape of the territories until their unification in 1130. The kings of Alba were also in a near-constant state of war with their southern neighbours in England.

BATTLE OF LUNFANNON

The site of Macbeth’s final battle. Retreating from the onslaught of Malcolm III’S forces, Macbeth and his men were caught off guard and made their last stand. His body was laid to rest at Iona, the traditional resting place of the kings of Scotland.

STRATHCLYDE

Brought into the king of Scotland’s sphere by Malcolm

II, Strathclyde has been dubbed ‘the kingdom of the M74’ due to the modern motorway running through the historic territory. It was also known as the kingdom of Cumbria and was fully part of Scotland by 1066.

THE VIKINGS

Occupying the Outer Hebrides and the northern tip of the Scottish mainland, the rulers of this region were descended from Viking raiders and had ties to Scandinavia. Thorfinn the Mighty, the powerful Jarl of Orkney, fought with Macbeth, and his widow married into the Gaelic royal family.

SCONE

The traditional coronation place of the kings of Scotland. The Stone of Destiny, also known as the Stone of Scone, is the coronation stone on which the king would sit. The stone was taken by Edward I and only returned to Scotland in the 20th century.

BATTLE OF DUNSINANE HILL

The battle made famous by the play saw Siward of Northumbria march north and threaten Macbeth’s southern borders. Even with Norman mercenaries on his side, Macbeth was defeated and lost possession of the southern part of his kingdom.

NORTHUMBRIA

During Macbeth’s reign, Earl Siward, a powerful supporter of King Cnut, ruled the vast and powerful kingdom of Northumbria. Although Siward defeated Macbeth and installed his ally in southern Scotland, he lost his son on the field of battle.