Áedán mac Gabráin
The theory that the Battle of Raith was fought in the vicinity of the town in 596 AD no longer enjoys support. The Angles were said to have fought an alliance of Scots, Picts and Britons led by King Áedán mac Gabráin of Dál Riata. Towards the end of the 11th century the Scottish king Malcolm II purchased the shire of "Kirkaladunt" from the crown lords of Fife, to be given to the monks of Dunfermline Abbey as a means of aiding the funding of their newly built church. This saw residents pay annual revenues.