to the rapid advance made by the family under Alexander and his
successors, we quote the following from a modern MS. history of the
family by the late Captain John Matheson of Bennetsfield: "We must
observe here the rapid advance which the family of Kintail made on
every side. The turbulent Macdonalds, crushed by the affair of Park,
Munro, sustained by his own clan, and the neighbouring vassals of
Ross humbled at their own door, when a century had not yet passed
since the name of Mackenzie had become familiar to their ears; and it
is gratifying to trace all this to the wise policy of the first James
and his successors. The judicious education of Alastair Ionraic, and
consequent cultivation of those habits which, by identifying the
people with the monarch through the laws, render a nation securely
great, is equally discernible in John of Killin and his posterity.
The successors of the Earls of Ross were turbulent and tenacious of
their rights, but they were irreclaimable. The youthful Lord of the
Isles, at the instigation of his haughty mother, deserted the Court
of James I., while young Kintail remained, sedulously improving
himself at school in Perth, till he was called to display his
gratitude to his Royal master in counteracting the evil arising from
the opposite conduct of Macdonald. Thus, by one happy circumstance,
the attention of the King was called to a chieftain who gave such
early promise of steady attachment, and his future favour was
secured. The family of Kintail was repeatedly recognised in the
calendar of the Scottish Court, while that of the once proud
Macdonalds frowned in disappointment and barbarous independence
amidst their native wilds, while their territories, extending beyond
the bounds of good government and protection, presented gradually
such defenceless gaps as became inviting and easily penetrable by the
intelligence of Mackenzie, and Alastair Ionraic acquired a great
portion of his estates by this legitimate advantage, afterwards
secured by the intractable arrogance of Macdonald of Lochalsh and the
valour and military capacity of Coinneach a Bhlair."
In 1513 John of Killin is found among those Highland chiefs summoned
to rendezvous with the Royal army at Barrow Moor preparatory to the
fatal advance of James IV. into England, when the Mackenzies, forming
with the Macleans, joined that miserably-arranged and ill-fated
expedition which terminated so fatally to Scotland on the disastrous
field of Flodden, where the killed included the King, with the flower
of his nobility, gentry, and even clergy. There was scarcely a
Scottish family of distinction that did not lose at least one, and
some of them lost all the male members who were capable of bearing
arms. The body of the King was found, much disfigured with wounds,
in the thickest of the slain. Abercromby, on the authority of
Crawford, includes, in a list of those killed at Flodden, "Kenneth
Mackenzie of Kintail, ancestor to the noble family of Seaforth."
This is an undoubted error for it will be seen that John, not Kenneth
was chief at the time of Flodden. It was he who joined the Royal
army, accompanied by his brave and gallant uncle, Hector Roy of
Gairloch and it is established beyond dispute that though almost
all their followers fell, both John and Hector survived and
returned home. They, however, narrowly escaped the charge of Sir
Edward Stanley in rear of the Highlanders during the disorderly
pursuit of Sir Edward Howard, who had given way to the furious and
gallant onset of the mountaineers.
John was made prisoner, but afterwards escaped in a very remarkable
manner. When his captors were carrying him and others of his
followers to the south, they were overtaken by a violent storm
which obliged them to seek shelter in a retired house occupied by
the widow of a shipmaster. After taking up their quarters, and,
as they thought, providing for the safe custody of the prisoners,
the woman noticed that the captives were Highlanders; and, in
reference to the boisterous weather raging outside, she, as if
unconsciously, exclaimed, "The Lord help those who are to-night
travelling on Leathad Leacachan." The prisoners were naturally
astonished to hear an allusion, in such a place, to a mountain so
familiar to them in the North Highlands, and they soon obtained an
opportunity, which their hostess appeared most anxious to afford
them, of questioning her regarding her acquaintance with so
distant a place; when she told them that during a sea voyage she
took with her husband, she had been taken so ill aboard ship that
it was found necessary to send her ashore on the north west coast
of Scotland, where, travelling with only a maid and a single guide,
they were caught in a severe storm, and she was suddenly taken
in labour. In this distressing and trying position a Highlander
passing by took compassion upon her, and seeing her case so
desperate, with no resources at hand, he, with remarkable presence
of mind, killed one of his horses, ripped open his stomach, and
taking out the bowels, placed her and the newly-born infant in
their place, as the only effectual shelter from the storm. By this
means he secured sufficient time to procure female assistance, and
ultimately saved the woman and her child.
But the most remarkable part of the story remains to be told. The
same person to whom she owed her preservation was at that moment one
of the captives under her roof. He was one of Kintail's followers
on the fatal field of Flodden. She, informed of his presence and of
the plight he was in, managed to procure a private interview with him,
when he amply proved to her, by more detailed reference to the
incidents of their meeting on Leathad Leacachan, that he was the man
- "Uisdean Mor Mac 'Ille Phadruig" - and in gratitude, she, at the
serious risk of her own personal safety, successfully planned the
escape of Hugh's master and his whole party. The story is given on
uninterrupted tradition in the country of the Mackenzies; and a
full and independent version in the vernacular of the hero's humane
conduct on Leathad Leacachan will be found in the Celtic Magazine,
vol. ii., pp. 468-9, to which the Gaelic reader is referred.
Gregory, p. 112, says: "Tradition has preserved a curious anecdote
connected with the Mackenzies, whose young chief, John of Kintail,
was taken prisoner at Flodden. It will be recollected that Kenneth
Og Mackenzie of Kintail, while on his way to the Highlands, after
making his escape from Edinburgh Castle, was killed in the Torwood
by the Laird of Buchanan. The foster-brother of Kenneth Og was a
man of the district of Kenlochewe, named Donald Dubh MacGillecrist
vic Gillereoch, who with the rest of the clan was at Flodden with
his chief. In the retreat of the Scottish army this Donald Dubh
heard some one near him exclaiming, 'Alas, Laird! thou hast fallen.'
On enquiry, he was told it was the Laird of Buchanan, who had sunk
from his wounds or exhaustion. The faithful Highlander, eager to
revenge the death of his chief and foster-brother, drew his sword,
and, saying, 'If he has not fallen he shall fall,' made straight
to Buchanan, whom he killed on the spot."
As to the safe return of John of Kintail and Hector Roy to their
Highland home, after this calamitous event, there is now no question
whatever; for we find John among others, afterwards appointed, by
Act of Council, a Lieutenant or Guardian of Wester Ross, [Gregory,
p. 115. Acts of Lords of Council, xxvi., fo. 25.] to protect it
from Sir Donald Gallda Macdonald of Lochalsh, when he proclaimed
himself Lord of the Isles. In 1515, Mackenzie, without legal
warrant, seized the Royal Castle of Dingwall, but professed his
readiness to give it up to any one appointed by the Regent, John,
Duke of Albany. [Acts of Lords of Council, xxvii., fo. 60.] In
1532 he is included in a commission by James V. for suppressing a
disorderly tribe of Mackintoshes. He secured the esteem of this
monarch so much that he appointed him a member of his Privy Council.
To put the question of John's return beyond question, and to show
how the family rose rapidly in influence and power during his
rule, we shall quote the Origines Parochiales Scotia, from which
it will also be seen that Kenneth, John's heir, received considerable
grants for himself during his father's lifetime: "In 1509 King
James IV. granted to John Makkenzie of Keantalle (the brother of
Kenneth Og) the 40 marklands of Keantalle - namely, the davach of
Cumissaig, the davach of Letterfearn, the davach of Gleanselle,
the davach of Glenlik, the davach of Letterchall, the two davachs
of Cro, and three davachs between the water of Keppach and the
water of Lwying, with the castle and fortalice of Eleandonnan, in
the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom of Innernis, with other lands
in Ross, which John had resigned, and which the King then erected
into the barony of Eleandonnan. [Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xv., No.89.
Gregory, p.83.] In 1530 King James V. granted to James Grant of
Freuchy and Johne Mckinze of Kintale liberty to go to any part of
the realm on their lawful business. [Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. viii.,
fol. 149.] In 1532, 1538, and 1540, the same John M'Kenich
of Kintaill appears on record. [Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. ix, fol. 3;
vol. xii., fol. 21; vol. xiv., fol. 32.] In 1542, King James V.
granted to John Mckenzie of Kintaill the waste lands of Monar,
lying between the water of Gleneak on the north, the top or summit
of Landovir on the south, the torrent of Towmuk and Inchclochill
on the east, and the water of Bernis running into the water of Long
on the west; and also the waste lands of lie Ned lying between Loch
Boyne on the north, Loch Tresk on the south, lie Ballach on the
west, and Dawelach on the east, in the earldom of Ross and sheriffdom
of Innernes - lands which were never in the King's rental, and never
yielded any revenue - for the yearly payment of L4 to the King as
Earl of Ross. [Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxviii., No. 417.] In 1543 Queen
Mary granted to Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail, and Isabel Stewart, his
wife, the lands of Auchnaceyric, Lakachane, Strome-ne-mowklach,
Kilkinterne, the two Rateganis, Torlousicht, Auchnashellicht,
Auchnagart, Auchewrane, lic Knokfreith, Aucharskelane, and Malegane,
in the lordship of Kintaill and other lands in Ross, extending in all
to 36 marks, which he had resigned. [Reg. Mag. Sig., lib. xxviii.,
No. 524. Reg. Sec. Sig.,vol. xvii., fol. 56.] In 1551 the same Queen
granted to John M'Kenze of Kintaill, and Kenzeoch M'Kenze, his son
and apparent heir, a remission for the violent taking of John Hectour
M'Kenzesone of Garlouch, Doull Hectoursone, and John Towach
Hectoursone, and for keeping them in prison 'vsurpand thairthrou our
Souerane Ladyis autorite.' [Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xxiv., fol. 75.] In
1554 there appear on record John Mackenzie of Kintaile and his son
and heir-apparant, Kenneth Mackenzie of Brahan - apparently the same
persons that appear in 1551. [Reg, Mag. Sig., lib. xxxii., No. 211.]
Donald Gorm Mor Macdonald of Sleat laid waste the country of Macleod
of Dunvegan, an ally of Mackenzie, after which he passed over in
1539 to the mainland and pillaged the lands of Kenlochewe, where
he killed Miles or Maolmuire, son of Finlay Dubh MacGillechriost
MacRath, at the time governor of Ellandonnan Castle. Finlay was
a very "pretty man," and the writer of the "Genealogy of the Macras"
informs us that "the remains of a monument erected for him, in the
place where he was killed, is still (1704) to be seen." Kintail
was naturally much exasperated at this unprovoked raid upon his
territory, as also for Macdonald's attack upon his friend and
ally, Macleod of Dunvegan; and to punish Donald Gorm, he dispatched
his son, Kenneth, with a force to Skye, who made ample reprisals
in Macdonald's country, killing many of his followers, and at the
same time exhibiting great intrepidity and sagacity. Donald Gorm
almost immediately afterwards made an incursion into Mackenzie's
territories of Kintail, where he killed Sir (Rev.) Dougald
Mackenzie, "one of the Pope's knights"; whereupon Kenneth, younger
of Kintail, paid a second visit to the Island, wasted the country;
and on his return, Macdonald learning that Ellandonnan was garrisoned
by a very weak force, under the new governor, John Dubh Matheson
of Fernaig - who had married Sir Dugald Mackenzie's widow - he made
another raid upon it, with fifty birlinns or large boats full of
his followers, with the intention of surprising the small garrison,
and taking the castle by storm. Its gallant defenders consisted at
the time of the governor, his watchman, and Duncan MacGillechriost
Mac Fhionnladh Mhic Rath, a nephew of Maolmuire killed in the
last incursion of the Island chief. The advance of the boats was,
however, noticed in time by the sentinel or watchman, who at once
gave the alarm to the country people, but they arrived too late
to prevent the enemy from landing. Duncan MacGillechriost was
on the mainland at the time; but flying back with all speed he
arrived at the postern of the stronghold in time to kill several
of the Islesmen in the act of landing; and, entering the castle,
he found no one there but the governor and watchman; almost
immediately after, Donald Gorm Mor furiously attacked the gate,
but without success, the brave trio having strongly secured it by
a second barrier of iron within a few steps of the outer defences.
Unable to procure access the Islesmen were driven to the expedient
of shooting their arrows through the embrazures, and in this way
they succeeded in killing the governor.
Duncan now found himself sole defender of the castle except the
watchman; and worse still his ammunition was reduced to a single
barbed arrow, which he determined to husband until an opportunity
occurred by which he could make good use of it. Macdonald at this
stage ordered his boats round to the point of the Airds, and was
personally reconnoitring with the view of discovering the weakest
part of the wall for effecting a breach. Duncan considered this
a favourable opportunity, and aiming his arrow at Donald Gorm,
it struck him and penetrated his foot through the master vein.
Macdonald, not having perceived that the arrow was a barbed one,
wrenched it out, and in so doing separated the main artery.
Notwithstanding that all available means were used, it was found
impossible to stop the bleeding, and his men conveyed him out of
the range of the fort to a spot - a sand bank - on which he died,
called to this day, "Larach Tigh Mhic Dhomhnuill," or the site
of Macdonald's house, where the haughty Lord of Sleat ended his
career. ["Genealogy of the Macras" and the Ardintoul MS. "This
Donald Gorme was son to Donald Gruamach, son to Donald Gallach,
son to Hugh, natural son to Alexander, Earl of Ross, for which the
elegy made on his death calls him grandchild and great grandchild
to Rhi-Fingal (King Fingal) -
"A Dhonnchaldh Mhic Gillechriost Mhic Fhionnla,
'S mor um beud a thuit le d'aon laimh,
Ogha 's iar-ogha Mhic Righ Fhinghaill,
`Thuiteam le bramag an aon mhic."
- Letterform MS.] The Islesmen burnt all they could find ashore
in Kintail. "In 1539 Donald Gorm of Sleat and his allies, after
laying waste Trouterness in Sky and Kenlochew in Ross, attempted to
take the Castle of Eileandonan, but Donald being killed by an arrow
shot from the wall, the attempt failed." [Gregory, pp. 145.146.
Border Minstrelsy. Anderson, p. 283. Reg. Sec. Sig., vol. xv.,
fol. 46.] In 1541 King James V. granted a remission to Donald's
accomplices - namely, Archibald Ilis, alias Archibald the Clerk,
Alexander McConnell Gallich, John Dow Donaldsoun, and twenty-six
others whose names are recorded in Origines Parchiales, p. 394,
vol. ii., for their treasonable fire-raising and burning of the
"Castle of Allanedonnand" and of the boats there, for the "Herschip"
of Kenlochew and Trouterness, etc.
Duncan MacGillechriost now naturally felt that he had some claim
to the governorship of the castle, but being considered "a man
more bold and rash than prudent and politick," Mackenzie decided
to pass him over. Duncan then put in a claim for his brother
Farquhar, but it was thought best, to avoid local quarrels and
bitterness between the respective claimants, to supersede them both
and appoint another, John MacMhurchaidh Dhuibh, priest of Kintail,
to the Constableship. Duncan was so much offended at such treatment
in return for his valiant services that he left Kintail in disgust,
and went to the country of Lord Lovat, who received him kindly, and
gave him the lands of Crochel and others in Strathglass, where he
lived for several years, until Lovat's death. Mackenzie, however,
often visited him and finally prevailed upon him to return to
Kintail, and Duncan, who always retained a lingering affection for
his native country, ultimately became reconciled to the chief, who
gave him the quarterland of Little Inverinate and Dorisduan, where
he lived the remainder of his days, and which his descendants
continued to possess for generations after his death.
For this service against the Macdonalds, James V. gave Mackenzie
Kinchullidrum, Achilty, and Comery in feu, with Meikle Scatwell,
under the Great Seal, in 1528. The lands of Laggan Achidrom,
being four merks, the three merks of Killianan, and the four merk
lands of Invergarry, being in the King's hands, were disposed by
him to John Mackenzie, after the King's minority and revocation,
in 1540, with a precept, under the Great Seal, and sasine thereupon
by Sir John Robertson in January 1541. But before this, in 1521, he
acquired the lands of Fodderty and mill thereof from Mr John Cadell,
which James V. confirmed to him at Linlithgow in September, 1522.
In 1541 he feued Brahan from the King to himself and his heirs male,
which failing, to his eldest daughter. In 1542 he obtained the
waste lands and forest of Neid and Monar from James V. for which
sasine is granted in the same year by Sir John Robertson. In
January 1547 he acquired a wadset of the half of Culteleod (Castle
Leod) and Drynie from Denoon of Davidston. In September of the same
year, old as he was, he went in defence of his Sovereign, young Mary
of Scots, to the Battle of Pinkie, where he was taken prisoner; and
the Laird of Kilravock meeting him advised him that they should own
themselves among the commons, Mackenzie passing off as a bowman.
While Kilravock would pass himself off as a miller, which plan
succeeded so well as to secure Kilravock his release; but the
Earl of Huntly, who was also a prisoner, having been conveyed by
the Duke of Somerset to view the prisoners, espying his old friend
Mackenzie among the common prisoners, and ignorant of the plot,
called him by his name, desiring that he might shake hands with
him, which civility two English officers noticed to Mackenzie's
disadvantage; for thenceforward he was placed and guarded along
with the other prisoners of quality, but afterwards released for
a considerable sum, to which all his people contributed without
burdening his own estate with it, ["He was ransomed by cows that
was raised through all his lands." - Letterform MS.] so returning
home to set himself to arrange his private affairs, and in the
year 1556 he acquired the heritage of Culteleod and Drynie from
Denoon, which was confirmed to him by Queen Mary under the Great
Seal, at Inverness 13th July the same year. He had previously, in
1544, acquired the other half of Culteleod and Drynie from Magnus
Mowat, and Patrick Mowat of Bugholly. In 1543 John Mackenzie
acquired Kildins, part of Lochbroom, to himself and Elizabeth
Grant, his wife, holding blench for a penny, and confirmed in the
same year by Queen Mary. [MS. History by the Earl of Cromartie.]
In 1540 Mackenzie with his followers joined King James at Loch Duich,
while on his way with a large fleet to secure the good government
of the West Highlands and Isles, upon which occasion many of the
suspected and refractory leaders were carried south and placed
in confinement. His Majesty died soon after, in 1542. Queen
Mary succeeded, and, being a minor, the country generally, but
particularly the northern parts, was thrown into a state of anarchy
and confusion.
In 1544 the Earl of Huntly, holding a commission as Lieutenant of
the North from the Queen Regent, Mary of Guise, commanded Kenneth
Mackenzie, younger of Kintail (his father, from his advanced age,
being unable to take the field), to raise his vassals and lead an
expedition against the Clan Ranald of Moidart, who, at that time,
held lands from Mackenzie on the West Coast; but Kenneth, in these
circumstances, thought it would be much against his personal
interest to attack Donald Glas of Moidart, and refused to comply
with Huntly's orders. To punish him, the Earl ordered his whole
army, consisting of three thousand men, to proceed against both
Moidart and Mackenzie with fire and sword, but he had not
sufficiently calculated on the constitution of his force, which
was chiefly composed of Grants, Rosses, Mackintoshes, and Chisholms;
and Kenneth's mother being a daughter of John, then laird of Grant,
and three of his daughters having married, respectively, Ross of
Balnagown, Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh, and Alexander Chisholm
of Comar, Huntly found his followers as little disposed to molest
Mackenzie as he had been to attack Donald Glas of Moidart. In
addition to the friendly feelings of the other chiefs towards young
Kintail, fostered by these family alliances, Huntly was not at all
popular with his own followers, or with the Highlanders generally.
He had incurred such odium for having some time before executed the
Laird of Mackintosh, contrary to his solemn pledge, that it required
little excuse on the part of the exasperated kindred tribes to
counteract his plans, and on the slightest pretext to refuse to
follow him. He was therefore obliged to retire from the West
without effecting any substantial service; was ultimately disgraced;
committed to Edinburgh Castle; compelled to renounce the Earldom of
Moray and all his other possessions in the north; and sentenced to
banishment in France for five years.
On the 13th of December 1545, at Dingwall, the Earl of Sutherland
entered into a bond of manrent with John Mackenzie of Kintail for
mutual defence against all enemies, reserving only their allegiance
to their youthful Queen, Mary Stuart. [Sir Robert Gordon, p. 112.]
Two years later the Earl of Arran sent the fiery cross over the
nation calling upon all between the ages of sixteen and sixty to
meet him at Musselburgh for the protection of the infant Queen.
Mackenzie of Kintail, then between sixty and seventy years of age,
when he might fairly consider himself exempt from further military
service, duly appeared with all the followers he could muster,
prudently leaving Kenneth, his only son, at home and when
remonstrated with for taking part in such a perilous journey at
his time of life, especially as he was far past the stipulated
age for active service, the old chief patriotically remarked that
one of his age could not possibly die more decorously than in the
defence of his country. In the same year (1547) he fought bravely,
at the head of his clan, with all the enthusiasm and gallantry of
his younger days, at the battle of Pinkie, where he was wounded
in the head and taken prisoner, but was soon afterwards released,
through the influence of the Earl of Huntly, who had meanwhile
again got into favour received a full pardon, and was appointed
Chancellor for Scotland.