46. Aidan macGabhran of Argyll King of Dal Riada, 44G Grandfather, M. Born abt 0533. Aidan macGabhran of Argyll King of died in Kilkerran on 17 Apr 0608, he was 75. Buried in Kilkerran.
Reigned Dal Riata 574-608
Aedan was the first significant ruler of the Dal Riatan Scots and one of the most powerful rulers in sixth century Britain. During his reign it is likely that the Scots and Picts must have clashed in numerous skirmishes and that Aedan generally won the advantage. It is possible that after Brude's (Pictish king) death in 584, his successor, Gartnait, was a son of Aedan's through his marriage with a Pictish princess. Although this may have given Aedan authority over the northern Picts, it had little effect over the southern Picts, or Maetae. In or around the year 590 Aedan was drawn into battle with them. Although he won, he lost two of his sons, Artuir and Eochaid Find, a fact apparently predicted by Columba.
Aedan also turned his might against the British kingdoms of Alclud, ruled by Rhydderch Hen, and the Gododdin, ruled by Mynyddog, and these internecine squabbles almost certainly played into the hands of the Bernician Angles under Athelfrith who, by the late 590s, was seeking to extend his territory into the land between the Walls. In 603 Aedan led an army of Scots and Irish against the Bernicians at Degsastan, in Lothian. Although the Angles claimed the victory there were heavy losses on both sides, and Aedan lost another son, Domangart. The records suggest that Aedan may have abdicated soon after this defeat and retired to a monastery at Kilkerran, where he died. His son, Eochaid Buide had, apparently, already been nominated as his successor by Columba. Despite his failures, Aedan established Dal Riata as a major force in northern Britain.
