Editing Kenneth II of Scotland (section)

== Interpretation ==
Kenneth's rival [[Amlaíb, King of Scotland]] is omitted by the ''[[Chronicle of the Kings of Alba]]'' and later Scottish king lists. The Irish [[Annals of Tigernach]] appear to better reflect contemporary events. Amlaíb could be a direct predecessor of Kenneth who suffered [[damnatio memoriae]], or the rival king recognized in parts of Scotland. A period of divided kingship appears likely.<ref name="Woolf">Woolf (2007), p. 205–206</ref>

Amlaíb was the heir of his brother [[Cuilén]], who was killed in a hall-burning. He might have served as a regent north of the [[River Forth]], during the absence of his brother. Kenneth was brother to the deceased [[Dub, King of Scotland]] and was most likely an exile. He could claim the throne due to the support of friends and maternal kin. He was likely older and more experienced than his rival king.<ref name="Woolf">Woolf (2007), p. 205–206</ref> Amlaíb is the Gaelic form of Óláfr, suggesting maternal descent from [[Norsemen]]. He could possibly claim descent from the [[Uí Ímair]] dynasty. Alex Woolf suggests he was a grandson of [[Amlaíb Cuarán]], [[Kingdom of Dublin|King of Dublin]] or his cousin [[Olaf Guthfrithson]], which suggests his own group of supporters.<ref name="Woolf">Woolf (2007), p. 205–206</ref>