Editing Islands of the Clyde (section)

=== Early Scots rule ===
[[File:Dalriada.jpg|thumb|Map of [[Dál Riata]] at its height, c. 580–600. [[Picts|Pictish]] regions are marked in yellow]]

Beginning in the 2nd century AD, Irish influence was at work in the region, and by the 6th century, [[Gaels]] had established the kingdom of [[Dál Riata]] there. Unlike earlier inhabitants, such as the [[P-Celtic]] speaking Brythons,  these Gaels spoke a form of [[Scottish Gaelic|Gaelic]] (a modern version of which is still spoken today in the [[Hebrides]]). During this period, through the efforts of [[Saint Ninian]] and others, Christianity slowly supplanted [[Druid]]ism. The kingdom of Dál Riata flourished from the rule of [[Fergus Mór]] in the late 5th century until the [[Viking]] incursions beginning in the late 8th century.<ref>Murray (1973) pp. 147–155</ref> Islands close to the shores of modern [[Ayrshire]] presumably remained part of the [[Kingdom of Strathclyde]] during this period, whilst the main islands became part of the emerging [[Kingdom of Alba]] founded by Kenneth MacAlpin (Cináed mac Ailpín).