Crínán of Dunkeld, also called Crinan the Thane (c. 975–1045), was the erenagh, or hereditary lay-abbot, of Dunkeld Abbey and, similarly to Irish "royal- and warrior-abbots" of the same period like the infamous case of Fedelmid mac Crimthainn, led armies into battle and was very likely also the Mormaer of Atholl during the events later fictionalized in William Shakespeare's verse drama The Tragedy of Macbeth.
He was identified as Crínán of Dunkeld by historian W. F. Skene, though this identity has been challenged as insufficiently supported or erroneous by some scholars, such as G. W. S.
[4] In 1045, Crínán of Dunkeld rose in rebellion against Macbeth in support of his 14-year-old grandson, Malcolm III's claim to the throne.
[7] Iain Moncreiffe argued that Crinán belonged to a Scottish sept of the Irish Cenél Conaill royal dynasty.
The magnificent semi-ruined Dunkeld Cathedral, built in stages between 1260 and 1501, stands today on the grounds once occupied by the monastery.