The Pictish Chronicle king lists give Alpín and Drest a five-year joint rule.
In 724, Nechtan mac Der-Ilei is reported in the Annals of Tigernach to have abdicated in favour of Drest, entering a monastery.
In 726, the Annals of Tigernach report that "Drest was cast from the kingdom of the Picts and Alpín reigned in his stead".
[2] In 728–729, a war in Pictland involving Alpín, Drest, Nechtan and Óengus is reported in various sources.
He was first defeated by Óengus at Monaidh Craeb, for which Moncreiffe Island near Perth has been suggested, where his son was killed.