Bethóc inghean Mhaoil Choluim, Princess of Scotland was the eldest daughter of King Malcolm II of Alba (Scotland), who had no sons. The strongest hereditary claim of succession to the Scottish throne therefore passed through Bethóc.
Approximately 1000CE, Princess Bethóc married Crinan the Thane de Mormaer (Earl) of Dunkeld. The first son of this marriage was Duncan mac Crínáin, who ascended to the throne of Scotland in 1034.
Early writers have asserted that Malcolm II also designated Duncan as his successor under the rules of tanistry because there were other possible claimants to the throne.
See also: Duncan I, Malcolm II, Crinan
Sources
- Anderson, Marjorie Ogilvy. Kings and Kingship in Early Scotland, 1973