In the western parts of what is modern Scotland, principally the islands from the Inner Hebrides down to Kintyre, the western coastal areas of Scotland and the northern tip of Ulster, were those people who became identified with the Gaelic kingdoms of Dal Riata. There were at least five of these, each controlling different areas:
- Cenél nGartnait, based on and around Skye
- Cenél Loairn, based around Lorne and Mull
- Cenél Comgaill, in Cowal and Bute
- Cenél nGabráin, based in Kintyre
- Cenél nÓengusa based on the islands of Islay and Jura
Cenél is usually translated as something like “kin of” and each group seems to have traced their lineage back to an individual. For example, Fergus Mór was deemed to be the legendary founder of the Dalriatans, and he lived around the year 500. One of his grandsons was called Comgall (after whom Cenél Comgaill is said to be named) and another grandson was Gabrán (hence Cenél nGabráin).
Some sort of overlordship seems to have been in existence during the 7th and 8th centuries, which makes it easier for historians to simplify the groups into one “kingdom” and it does appear that usually such overlordship came mainly from the Cenél Comgaill or Cenél nGabráin.
The Northern Tapestry 