The Death of Indulf King of the Scots

"Finally he, high-spirited as he was, having thrown away his weapons, so that he might pursue the runaways more swiftly, was struck in the head by a dart out of one of the ships, and died that same night."

The death of Indulf as described by the 14th century history John of Fordun

John of Fordun tells us that in 961, a fleet of 50 ships of Danes and Northmen raided the the southern and then northern parts of the country. Indulf tried to intercept them in the north, but there were rumours that their fleet was in the south. Indulf came across them as they were scattered, raiding the countryside near "a place called Collyn". Although only having a small number of troops Indulf attacked, killing many and send the rest to flight. It was in this pursuit that Indulf was killed.

Medieval sources provide differing length of Indulf's reign from 8 to 10 years and the date of death varies too. Modern histories such as royal.uk place his reign from 954 to 962 C.E.

The place and manner of his death also varies in the medieval sources, although most modern histories have Indulf dying whilst gaining victory over Danes at Cullen.

Early Sources of Scottish History by Alan Orr Anderson and revised by Paul Watkins has been used for the sources below.

The Chronicon Scotorum describes Indulf as having 'died', whereas two Irish kings in the same section are described as 'killed' and as 'died'. There is no mention of a battle.

Chronicle of the Kings of Scotland (version A) only says Indulf reigned for eight years. Another line tells of a raiding fleet was 'slain' in Buchan.

The Berchan's Prophecy, which does not mention Indulf by name, but whose identity is inferred, says that he died where his father did. His father, Constantine, died at St Andrews.

Chronicle of the Kings of Scotland (version D) says that Indulf, was killed by Norwegians in Inver-cullen.

Prose and Verse Chronicles in the Chronicle of Melrose, state he was fighting Danes at the mouth of the river Cullen when he was killed.