Mac Bethad mac Findlaích (
Modern Gaelic:
MacBheatha mac Fhionnlaigh;
Medieval Gaelic:
Mac Bethad mac Findlaích; anglicised as
Macbeth, and nicknamed
Rí Deircc, "the Red King"; died 15 August 1057) was
King of the Scots (also known as the King of
Alba, and earlier as King of
Moray and King of
Fortriu) from 1040 until his death. Recent evidence is indicating he spent much of his time in and around the Forres area of Moray, defeating his cousin Duncan, then king of Moray, in battle at nearby Pitgaveny. He is best known as the subject of
William Shakespeare's tragedy
Macbeth and the many works it has inspired, although the play is not an accurate portrait of the historical king.