It is difficult to believe today, but between AD500 and 900 this was one of the most important places in Scotland. The original Scots were migrants from Ireland who from about 500 settled across Argyll in ever greater numbers, founding the Kingdom of Dalriada. Dunadd was the capital of the Kingdom and where its Kings were anointed.

From this foothold the Scots eventually incorporated their much longer-standing neighbours the Picts. By 843 Kenneth MacAlpin, King of the Scots of Dalriada, had also become King of the Picts. By 850 pressure from Viking raids caused the conjoined Kingdom of Alba to move its centre from Dunadd to Scone, near Perth. Dunadd's days of glory were over.