of Cromarty, "was truly of an heroic temper, but of a spirit too
great for his estates, perhaps for his country, yet bounded by
his station, so as he (his father) resolved to seek employment
for him abroad; but no sooner had he gone to France, but Glengarry
most outrageously, without any cause, and against all equity
and law convocates multitudes of people and invades his estates,
sacking, burning, and destroying all. Kenneth's friends sent John
Mackenzie of Tollie to inform him of these wrongs, whereupon he
made a speedy return to an affair so urgent, and so suitable to
his genius, for as he never offered wrong so he never suffered
any. His heat did not overwhelm his wit, for he took a legal
procedure, obtained a commission of fire and sword against Glengarry
and his complices, which he prosecuted so bravely as in a short
time by himself and his brother he soon forced them to retreat
from his lands, and following them to their own bills, he soon
dissipated and destroyed them, that young Glengarry and many
others of their boldest and most outrageous were killed, and the
rest forced to shelter themselves amongst the other Macdonalds
in the islands and remote Highlands, leaving all their estates to
Kenneth's disposal. This tribe of the Clan Ranald seem to have
been too barbarous for even those lawless times, while by a strange
contumacy in latter times, a representative of that ancient family
pertinaciously continued to proclaim its infamy and downfall by the
adherence to the wild strain of bagpipe music (their family pibroch
called Cillechriost), at once indicative of its shame and submission.
Kenneth's character and policies were of a higher order, and in
the result he was everywhere the gainer by them." He was
supported by Murdoch Mackenzie, II. of Redcastle; and by his own
brothers - Sir Roderick Mackenzie of Coigeach, Alexander of Coul,
and Alexander of Kilcoy, all men of more than ordinary
intelligence and intrepidity.
Lord Kenneth married, first, Ann, daughter of George Ross, IX. of
Balnagown, with issue -
I. Colin Ruadh, his successor, afterwards created first Earl of
Seaforth.
II. John of Lochslinn, who married Isobel, eldest daughter of
Alexander Mackenzie, V. of Gairloch, and died without lawful male
issue.
III. Kenneth, who died unmarried.
IV. Barbara, who married Donald, Lord Reay.
V. Janet, who married Sir Donald Macdonald, VIII. of Sleat,
Baronet, with issue, his heir and successor, and others.
Kenneth married, secondly, Isobel, daughter of Sir Gilbert Ogilvie
of Powrie, by whom he had -
VI. Alexander, who died without issue.
VII. George, who afterwards succeeded Colin as second Earl
of Seaforth.
VIII. Thomas Mackenzie of Pluscardine, whose male line has been
proved extinct.
IX. Simon Mackenzie of Lochslinn. Simon was twice married and
left a numerous offspring, who will afterwards be more particularly
referred to, his descendants having since the death of "the Last
of the Seaforths" in 1815, without surviving male issue, carried
on the male representation of the ancient family of Kintail.
X. Sibella, who married,, first, John Macleod, XIV. of Harris;
secondly, Alexander Fraser, Tutor of Lovat; and thirdly, Patrick
Grant, Tutor of Grant, second son of Sir John Grant of Freuchie.
He died in February, 1611, in the forty-second year of his age; was
buried "with great triumph" at Chanonry, ["As is proved by an old
MS. record kept by the Kirk Session of Inverness, wherein is this
entry: 'Upon the penult day of February 1611 My Lord Mackenzie died
in the Chanonrie of Ross and was buried 28th April anno foresaid
in the Chanonrie Kirk with great triumph.'" - "Allangrange Service"]
and was succeeded by his second and eldest surviving son,
XIII. COLIN FIRST EARL OF SEAFORTH,
AND SECOND LORD MACKENZIE OF KINTAIL, a minor only fourteen
years old when his father died. On the 16th of July, 1611, a Royal
precept is issued under the Signet to the Sheriff of Inverness
directing him to have all brieves of inquest obtained by Colin,
Lord Mackenzie of Kintail, for serving him nearest and lawful
heir to the late Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord of Kintail, his father,
in all lands and annual-rents wherein his father died, last vested
and seased, proclaimed and put to the knowledge of an inquest,
notwithstanding the minority of the said Colin, "whereupon we
have dispensed and by these present dispense" with that objection,
providing always that the dispensation be not prejudicial to the
donator of the ward of the said late Kenneth's lands in the matter
of the mails, fermes, and duties of the same during the time of
the ward thereof.
On the 16th of August, 1611, a proclamation is issued to the Highland
chiefs, following upon one granted to Sir Roderick Mackenzie of
Coigeach, as Tutor of Kintail, and four other leaders of the clan,
on the 11th of June preceding, against assisting Neil Macleod and
the other rebels of the Lewis, who had risen in arms against the
Tutor, in the following terms:
Forasmuch as the barbarous and rebellious thieves and limmers of
the Lewis, who have been suppressed and in some measure kept in
subjection and obedience these years bygone, taking new breath and
courage upon occasion of the decease of Kenneth, Lord Kintail, who
was his Majesty's justice and commissioner in these bounds, they
have now of late risen in arms in a professed and avowed rebellion
against the Tutor of Kintail, whom his Majesty and his Council have
authorised and constituted in that place of justiciary possessed
by his deceased brother within the Lewis, and intend, with their
whole power and force, not only to withstand and resist the said
Tutor of Kintail in the advancement of his Majesty's authority
and service within the Lewis, but to prosecute himself and his
Majesty's good subjects attending upon him with all hostility -
wherein they presume of farther backing and assistance, upon some
foolish apprehension that the clansmen of the Isles who have given
their obedience to his Majesty, and now stands under his Majesty's
good grace, shall make shipwreck of their faith, credit, and promised
obedience, and join with them in their detestable rebellion.
And although his Majesty, in the sincerity of his royal heart,
cannot apprehend any such disloyalty or treachery in the person of
the clansmen of the Isles, who have had so large a proof of his
Majesty's clemency, benignity, and favour, that now, so unworthily
and unnecessarily, they will reject his Majesty's favour, and, to
the inevitable hazard and peril of their estates, join with these
miserable miscreants in their rebellion yet to take away all
pretext of excuse from them, and to make them the more inexcusable
if wilfully, traitorously, and maliciously they will suffer
themselves to be carried in such an imminent danger, the King's
Majesty and Lords of Secret Council ordain letters to be directed
to command, charge, and inhibit all and sundry, the inhabitants
of the Isles and continent next adjacent, namely Donald Macdonald
Gorm of Sleat, Roderick Macleod of Dunvegan, called Macleod of
Harris, Hugh Mackay of Farr, Mackay his son and apparent heir,
and MacNeill of Barra, that none of them presume or take upon
hand, under whatsoever colour or pretence, to concur, fortify, or
assist the said rebellious thieves and limmers of the Lewis, nor
to intercommune or join with them, supply them with men, victual,
powder, bullets, or any other thing consortable unto them, nor to
show them any kind of protection, consort, countenance, reset or
supply, under the pain to be reputed, held, and esteemed as art
and partakers with them in their rebellion, and to be pursued and
punished for the same, as traitors to his Majesty and his country,
with all vigour.
On the 28th of May, 1612, a commission, apparently first granted
to those named in it on the 11th of June, 1611, but of which the
original is not given in the published Records of the Privy Council,
"almost expired" at the first-named date, and was renewed to the
same persons - the Tutor of Kintail, Colin Mackenzie of Killin,
Murdo Mackenzie of Kernsary, Alexander Mackenzie of Coul, and
Kenneth Mackenzie of Darochmaluag. It is to the same effect as and
in almost identical terms with the commission issued in favour of
Kenneth, Lord Kintail, on the 19th of July, 1610 (given at length
at pp. 193-94), and it confers full powers on the Tutor and his
colleagues for the pursuit and apprehension of Neil Macleod and his
fellow rebels in the Lewis.
A complaint is made on the 4th of March, 1613, by Sir William
Oliphant, the King's Advocate, that all the chieftains and principal
men of the Isles and mainland next adjacent having made their
submission to his Majesty, "there only resteth Neil Macleod,
called the Traitor, rebellious and disobedient." His accomplices
are given as Malcolm Mac Rory MacLeod William Mac Rory Macleod,
his brother, John Dubh Mac Angus Mac Gillemhichell, Gillecallum Mac
Ian Mhic-ant-Sagairt, Murdo and Donald Mac Ian Mhic-an-t-Sagairt,
Donald and Rory, sons to Neil Macleod, and Donald Mac Ian Duibh -
the Brieve. They are stated to have maintained open rebellion in the
Lewis for some years past, "but after their strength and starting
hoill," called Berissay, had been attacked by the Tutor of Kintail
and others in the King's name they fled to the bounds and country
of Donald Mac Allan of Ellantirrim, where they were received and
supplied by him and several others, whose names are given, "despite
the proclamation of the commission against the resett of rebels made
at Inverness," some time before. The resetters, to the number of
nine, are denounced rebels and at the born.
At a meeting of the Council held on the 28th of April Roderick
Macleod of Harris is charged to deliver up to the Tutor of Kintail
within twenty days after the charge five of Neil Macleod's accomplices
who had been apprehended by Roderick's brother Alexander. These
are Malcolm and William, "sons to the late Neil Macleod, called
the Traitor," Murdo Mac Ian Mhic-an-t-Sagairt, Malcolm Mac Ian
Mhic-an-t-Sagairt, and Donald Mac Angus, "who were the chief actors
and ringleaders in all the treasonable and rebellious attempts
committed and perpetrated upon his Majesty's peaceable and good
subjects within the Lewis these divers years bygone.
On the 20th of May a commission is issued in favour of the Tutor,
Roderick MacLeod of Dunvegan and Harris, and John Grant of Grant,
for the apprehension of Allan Mac Allaster, in Kilchoan, Knoydart,
and several others of his relatives, for the murder of Ronald
Mac Angus Gearr, and also, at the instance of Donald Mac Angus of
Glengarry, for not finding caution to appear before the Justice
for going by night armed with "daggs and pistolletts" to the lands
of Laggan Achadrom in Glengarry, and setting fire to the houses
there and destroying them with all their plenishing. They are
afterwards apprehended, and on the 8th of February, 1614, a commission
to try them is issued in favour of the Sheriff of Inverness and
his deputies. In the meantime they are lodged in the tolbooth of
that town.
The Tutor must have become responsible for Donald Gorm Macdonald,
for on the 3rd of June, 1613, there is an entry declaring that "in
respect of the personal compearance of Donald Gorm of Sleat" before
the Privy Council their Lordships "exoner and relieve Rory Mackenzie
of Coigeach of the acts" whereby he became acted for the entry of
Macdonald before them on the last Council day of May preceding,
and he is declared "free of said acts in all time coming." On
the 24th of the same month a commission is issued to Roderick, Mr
Colin Mackenzie of Killin, Murdo Mackenzie of Kernsary, Alexander
Mackenzie of Coul, and Kenneth Mackenzie of Davochmaluag, to pass
to the Lewis and apprehend Roderick and Donald Macleod, sons of
Neil who had been executed at Edinburgh in the preceding April;
William and Roderick Macleod, brothers of Malcolm, son of Rory
Macleod, sometime of the Lewis; Donald Mac Ian Duibh - the Brieve,
Murdo Mac Angus Mhic-an-t-Sagairt, Donald, his brother, Gillecallum
Caogach Mac-an-t-Sagairt, John Dubh Mac Angus Mac Gillemhichell,
Murdo Mac Torquil Blair, John Roy and Norman, sons of Torquil
Blair, Donald Mac Neill Mhic Finlay, Gillecallum Mac Allan Mhic
Finlay, and Donald Mac Dhomhnuill Mac Gillechallum, "actors in
the first rebellion in the Lewis against the gentlemen venturers,"
all of whom bad been denounced as rebels on the 2nd of February
the same year. This commission is renewed for twelve months on
the 21st of June, 1614, and proclamation is ordered at Inverness
and other places, charging all the inhabitants of the North Isles,
and within the bounds of the lands, heritages, possessions, offices
and bailliaries pertaining to Colin, Lord Mackenzie of Kintail,
except persons of the name of Fraser, Ross, and Munro, and their
tenants and servants, to assist the commissioners in apprehending
those named in the former commission.
On the 30th of July, 1613, in a long list of 121 persons before the
Council from the County of Inverness, which then included Ross, and
fined for the reset of the Clan Macgregor, Sir Roderick Mackenzie
of Coigeach, as Tutor of Kintail, has L4000 against his name, by
far the largest sum in the list, the next to him being his own
uncle, Roderick Mor Mackenzie I. of Redcastle, with 4000 merks.
There seems to have been some difficulty as to the settlement of
these heavy fines, for on the 27th of October following, there is
a missive before the Council from the King "anent the continuation
granted to the Tutor of Kintail, Mr John and Rory Mackenzies, for
payment of their fines," and directions are given accordingly that
no new continuation be granted.
In 1614, while the Tutor was busily engaged in the island of Lewis,
discussions broke out between different branches of the Camerons,
instigated by the rival claims of the Marquis of Huntly and the Earl
of Argyll. The latter had won over the aid of Allan MacDhomhnuill
Dubh, chief of the clan, while Huntly secured the support of
Erracht, Kinlochiel, and Glen Nevis, and, by force, placed them
in possession of all the lands belonging to the chief's adherents
who supported Argyll. Allan, however, managed to deal out severe
retribution to his enemies, who were commanded by Lord Enzie, and,
as is quaintly said, "teaching ane lesson to the rest of kin that
are alqui in what form they shall carry themselves to their chief
hereafter." The Marquis obtained a commission from the King to
suppress these violent proceedings, in virtue of which he called
out all his Majesty's loyal vassals to join him. Kintail and the
Tutor demurred, and submitted the great difficulties and trials
they had experienced in reducing the Lewis to good and peaceable
government as their excuse, and they were exempted from joining
Huntly's forces by a special commission from the King. Closely
connected as it is with the final possession of the island by the
House of Kintail, it is here given -
"James Rex, - James, by the grace of God, King of Great Britain,
France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, to all and sundry our
lieges, and subjects whom it effeirs to whose knowledge this our
letters shall come greeting. For as much as we have taken great
pains and travails, and bestown great charge and expense for
reducing the Isles of our kingdom to our obedience: And the same
Isles being now settled in a reasonable way of quietness, and the
chieftains thereof having come in and rendered their obedience to
us there rests none of the Isles rebellious, but only the Lewis,
which being inhabitated by a number of godless and lawless people,
trained up from their youth in all kinds of ungodliness: They can
hardly be reclaimed from their impurities and barbarities, and
induced to embrace a quiet and peaceable form of living so that
we have been constrained from time to time to employ our cousin,
the Lord Kintail, who rests with God, and since his decease the
Tutor of Kintail his brother, and other friends of that House in
our service against the rebels of the Lewis, with ample commission
and authority to suppress their insolence and to reduce that island
to our obedience, which service has been prosecuted and followed
these divers years by the power, friendship and proper services
of the House of Kintail, without any kind of trouble and charge
or expense to us, or any support or relief from their neighbours
and in the prosecution of that service, they have had such good
and happy success, as divers of the rebels have been apprehended
and executed by justice: But seeing our said service is not yet
fully accomplished, nor the Isle of the Lewis settled in a solid
and perfect obedience, we have of late renewed our former commission
to our cousin Colin, now Lord of Kintail, and to his Tutor and
some other friends of his house, and they are to employ their whole
power, and service in the execution of the said commission, which
being a service importing highly our honour, and being so necessary
and expedient for the peace and quiet of the whole islands, and
for the good of our subjects, haunting the trade of fishing in
the isles, the same ought not to be interrupted upon any other
intervening occasion, and our commissioners and their friends ought
not to be distracted therefrom for giving of their concurrence
in our services: Therefore, we, with advice of the Lords of
our Privy Council, have given and granted our licence to our said
cousin Colin. Lord of Kintail, and to his friends, men, tenants and
servants, to remain and bide at home from all osts, raids, wars,
assemblings, and gatherings to be made by George, Marquis of
Huntly, the Earl of Enzie, his son, or any other our Lieutenants,
Justices, or Commissioners, by sea or land either for the pursuit
of Allan Cameron of Lochiel and his rebellious complices, or for
any other cause or occasion whatsoever, during or within the time
of our commission foresaid granted against the Lewis, without pain
or danger to be incurred by our said cousin the Lord of Kintail
and his friends in their persons, lands or goods; notwithstanding
whatsoever our proclamation made or to be made in the contrary
whatever, and all pains contained in it, we dispense by these
presents, discharging hereby our Justices, Justice Clerk, and all
our Judges and Ministers of law, of all calling, accusing, or
any way proceeding against them, for the cause aforesaid, and of
their officers in that part. Given under our signet at Edinburgh,
the 14th day of September, 1614, and of our reign the 12th, and 48
years. Read, passed, and allowed in Council. Alexander,
Chancellor. Hamilton, Glasgow, Lothian, Binning."
Having procured this commission, the Mackenzies were in a position
to devote their undivided attention to the Lewis and their other
affairs at home; and from this date that island principality
remained in the continuous possession of the family of Kintail
and Seaforth, until in 1844, it was sold to the late Sir James
Matheson. The people ever after adhered most loyally to the
illustrious house to whom they owed peace and prosperity such as
was never before experienced in the history of the island.
The commission proved otherwise of incalculable benefit to Kintail;
for it not only placed him in a position to pacify and establish
good order in the Lewis with greater ease, but at the same time
provided his Lordship with undisturbed security in his extensive
possessions on the mainland at a time when the most violent
disorders prevailed over every other district of the West Highlands
and Isles.
On the 2nd of February, 1615, a commission is signetted in favour
of Sir Roderick, Mr Colin Mackenzie of Strathgarve, Mr Alexander
Mackenzie of Kinnock, and Alexander Mackenzie of Coul, to receive
Malcolm Caogach Mac Jan Mhic-an-t-Sagairt, Callum Dubh Mac Allaster,
Donald Mac Angus Mac Gillechallum, Gillecallum Mac Ian Riabhaich,
and James Mac Ian Duibh, from the Magistrates of Edinburgh, to
carry them north, and to keep them in ward until everything is
ready for trying them for murder, mutilation, theft, reset, and
other crimes.
At a meeting of the Council held at Edinburgh on the 9th of
February, 1615, Neil Macleod's two sons, Norman and Roderick, are
set at liberty on condition that they transport themselves out of
the King's dominions and never return. They appeared personally
"and acted and obliged them that within the space of forty days
after their relief furth of their ward, where they remain within
the Tolbooth of Edinburgh, they shall depart and pass furth of his
Majesty's dominions and never return again within the same during
their lifetimes, under the pain of death; and in the meantime,
till their passing furth of his Majesty's dominions, that they
shall not go benorth the water of Tay, under the said pain, to be
executed upon them without favour if they fail in the premises.
And they gave their great oath to perform the conditions of this
present act; and further, the said Norman declared that he would
renounce, like as by the tenour of this present act he does
renounce, his Majesty's remission and pardon granted unto him, and
all favour and benefit that he could acclaim by the said remission,
in case he failed in the premises. In respect whereof the said
Lords ordained the said Norman and Rory to be put to liberty and
fredom furth of the Tolbooth"; and a warrant was issued to the
Provost and Bailies of Edinburgh to give effect to their Lordships'
decision. The Tutor appeared personally, and in name of Lord
Kintail consented to the liberation of the prisoners. He at the
same time protested that neither he nor his chief should be held
any longer responsible for the expenses of maintaining Norman,
now that lie was at liberty, and he was accordingly relieved from
further charge on that account.
On the 26th of April following the Tutor receives a commission
for the pursuit and apprehension of Coll MacGillespic Macdonald,
Malcolm Mac Rory Macleod, and other fugitives, described as "the
Islay rebels," who had fled from justice, should they land in
the Lewis or in any other of the territories belonging to Lord
Mackenzie of Kintail. In order that he may the better attend
to this duty, along with several other heads of clans named in
the same commission for their respective districts, and as "it is
necessary that the commissioners foresaid remain at home and on
nowise come to this burgh (Edinburgh) to pursue or defend in any
actions or causes concerning them," their Lordships continued all
actions against them until the 1st of November next, ordaining the
said actions "to rest and sleep" till that date.
On the same day, a second dispensation under the signet is addressed
to the Sheriff of Inverness and his deputes in favour of Lord
Colin, requesting that despite his minority he be served heir to
his father, the late Kenneth, Lord Mackenzie of Kintail. On the
25th of June following he is ordered to provide twenty-five men as
part of an expedition for the pursuit of Sir James Macdonald and
Coll MacGillespick. In June, 1616, he is appointed a Commissioner
of the Peace for the Sheriffdom of Elgin and Forres.
On the outbreak of a new rebellion in the Lewis another commission,
dated the 28th of August, 1616, to last for twelve months, was
issued by the Privy Council, in favour of the Tutor and other
leading men of the clan, couched in the following terms: