Talorcan son of Drestan

Talorcan son of Drestan (Old Irish: Talorc mac Drostain; died 739) was king of Atholl in modern-day Scotland.

Background

The Annals of Ulster record for the year 713 that Talorcan was "bound" by his brother, the Pictish king Naiton son of Der-Ilei.^[1] As Naiton's father was Dargart mac Finguine, this implies that Talorcan was the son of Naiton's mother Der-Ilei, who was probably a daughter or sister of the earlier Pictish king Bridei son of Beli.^[2] Talorcan's father Drestan was probably also a king of Atholl, or at least a member of its royal line.^[3] Talorcan may have been making a bid for the Pictish kingship in 713, as indicated by a further entry for the year in the Annals of Ulster recording the death of another of Naiton's brothers Ciniod son of Der-Ilei.^[3]

Talorcan was "completely bound" in 734 near Dunollie, the stronghold of Cenél Loairn, then under the control of Muiredach mac Ainbcellaig; before being drowned in 739 by the Pictish king Onuist son of Uurguist.^[4] Both the Annals of Ulster and the Annals of Tigernach explicitly describe Talorcan as rex Athfoitle or King of Atholl at his death.^[5]