Bridei mac Maelchon, High King of Tay edit

James E. Fraser in his paper "Adomnán, Cumméne Ailbe, and the Picts" and those by others, describe Adomnán's placement of St. Columba's Scottish missionary work in the Great Glen as political motivated. His true missionary activities were amongst the tribes of Tay, as reported by the earlier text Amra Cholium Chille. Adoman’s 'Life of Columba' cannot be taken as a reliable source for the placement of Bridei, son of Maelchon.

Amra Cholium Chille also mentions a Ard Rig Toí. This is taken as being a High King of the Picts. The King of the Picts who reigned during St. Columba's Scottish missionary work are: Bridei mac Maelchon and Gartnait mac Domelch. Charles-Edwards in "Early Christian Ireland" argues that it was Bridei mac Maelchon. For after Bridei mac Maelchon's death St. Columba returns to Ireland to found Durrow and continues to be active in Ireland afterwards. And in Scotland Aedan mac Gabhrain wages war on the Picts. While Bridei mac Maelchon is cited as granting Iona to St. Columba for his missionary work.