General Notes

REFN: 1601AN
REFN: P1601
Reigned as King of Scotland from 859 to 863.
Donald I (Donald mac Alpin) (c812-863) was King of Alba (Scotland) from
858-863. He was the young er son of Alpin II of Dalriada and succeeded his
brother, King Kenneth mac Al pin, to the throne upon his death.
Described before as the wanton son of the f oreign woman, Donald had a
short term as king. He established an ancient corp us of laws and rights
(known as the laws of Aed, or Aedh) that apparently inc luded the custom
of tanistry. According to this custom, the successor of a ki ng was
elected during his lifetime from the eldest and worthiest of his kin,
often a collateral (brother or cousin) in preference to a descendant
(son). During Donald's reign, his nephew, Constantine I, was chosen to
succeed him following his death. The custom of tanistry lasted until the
reign of Malcolm II.
Uncertainty exists about the circumstances of his death in 863. He either
died at a battle in Scone, Perthshire or peacefully in his palace at Kinn
Belachoir. He died unmarried and childless. It is not known where he was
buri ed.