His mother's name is unknown, but she was almost certainly a daughter of Máel Coluim, Mormaer of Atholl, meaning that Alan was the product of two Gaelic comital families.

However, as Matthew Hammond has shown, this is more likely to refer to fact that Alan, as a grandson of Máel Coluim, Earl of Atholl, probably sought to inherit the province; by 9 January 1234, King Alexander seems to have recognise this style.

However, by the time of a charter of 7 July 1235, the style had disappeared and Alan was never called "count" (mormaer or earl) again.

However, Gille Críst's descendants had been excluded from inheritance by the line of Morggán, Mormaer of Mar, who were monopolising the comital title.

Alan was made Justiciar of Scotia along with Alexander Comyn, Earl of Buchan, and campaigned with the latter in two expeditions against the Norwegians.