A notable Viking chieftain

Thorstein the Red, also known as Thorstein Olafsson, was a notable Viking chieftain who lived during the late 9th century in Scotland.

Born around 850 AD, he was the son of Olaf the White, a powerful Viking king of Dublin, and Aud the Deep-minded, daughter of Ketil Flatnose.
Following his father’s death, Thorstein and his mother moved to the Hebrides, where he grew up to become a formidable warrior. He formed an alliance with Sigurd Eysteinsson, the Earl of Orkney, and together they embarked on a series of successful conquests across Scotland.

Their campaigns saw them gain control over Caithness, Sutherland, Ross, Moray, and a significant portion of the Scottish mainland, with Thorstein eventually receiving tribute from half of Scotland.

Despite his military prowess and strategic alliances, Thorstein’s reign was short-lived. Around 880-890 AD, he fell victim to a plot orchestrated by Scottish chieftains, leading to his untimely demise. The exact circumstances of his death remain unclear, but it is believed that he was killed in battle.

Thorstein’s legacy lived on through his descendants, including his son Olaf Feilan and several daughters, who went on to play significant roles in the Norse settlement of Iceland. His mother, Aud, would eventually leave Scotland and settle in Iceland with other members of their clan following Thorstein’s death.