Kenneth II

Cináeda mac Maíl Coluim (Modern Gaelic: Coinneach mac Mhaoil Chaluim; 26 February 932 — 25 April 995) often known as Kenneth II was the King of Scotland from 971 until his death in 995. He was the son of Malcolm I of Scotland (Maíl Coluim mac Domnail) and Bethoc. He was the younger brother of King Dub (Dub mac Maíl Coluim) ruled the kingdom from 962 until his death in 967.

Kenneth II
Posthumous painting by Jacob de Wet II, c. 1685
Posthumous painting by Jacob de Wet II, c. 1685
King of Scots
Reign 2 June 971 — 25 April 995
Coronation 23 June 971
Predecessor Culen (or Amlaíb, disputed)
Successor Constantine III
Issue
House Alpin
Father Malcolm I of Scotland
Mother Bethoc
Religion Roman Catholicism

For the first six years of his reign, Kenneth had a dispute with Amlaíb mac Illuilb, the younger brother and heir of of Kenneth's predecessor, Culen. Eventually in 977, Amlaíb died and the dispute between him and the king was over. It was said that Kenneth ordered the murder of Amlaíb. Kenneth would then rule the kingdom effectively until his death in 995 at the age of 63. He was succeded by Constantine III, the son of Kenneth's predecessor.