Malcolm III (Canmore) (1058-1093)

Máel Coluim mac Donnchada (Malcolm III) was King of Scots. He was the eldest son of Donnchad mac Crínáin. While often known as Malcolm Canmore, the earliest epithet applied to him is Long-Neck. It appears that the real Malcolm Canmore was this Máel Coluim’s great-grandson Malcolm IV.

Máel Coluim’s long reign, spanning five decades, did not mark the beginning of the Scoto-Norman age, nor can Máel Coluim’s reign be seen as extending the authority of Alba’s kings over the Scandinavian, Norse-Gael and Gaelic north and west of Scotland. The areas under the control of the Kings of Scots did not advance much beyond the limits set by Máel Coluim mac Cináeda until the 12th century and 13th century. Máel Coluim’s main achievement is often thought to match that of Cináed mac Ailpín, in continuing a line which would rule Scotland for many years, although his role as “founder of a dynasty” has more to do with the propaganda of his youngest son David, and his descendants, than with any historical reality.