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.

The Earl of Huntly some time after this paid a visit to Ross, intending, if he were kindly received by the great chiefs, to feu a part of the earldom of Ross, still in the King's hands, and to live in the district for some period of the year. Mackenzie, although friendly disposed towards the Earl, had no desire to have him residing in his immediate neighbourhood, and he arranged a plan which had the effect of deciding Huntly to give up any idea of remaining or feuing any lands in Ross. The Earl, having obtained a commission from the Regent to hold courts in the county, came to the castle of Dingwall, where he invited the principal chiefs to meet him. John of Killin, though very advanced in years, was the first to arrive, and he was very kindly received by Huntly. Mackenzie in return made a pretence of heartily welcoming and congratulating his lordship on his coming to Ross, and trusted that he would be the means of protecting him and his friends from the violence of his son, Kenneth, who, taking advantage of his frailty and advanced years, was behaving most unjustly towards him. John, indeed, expressed the hope that the Earl would punish Kenneth for his illegal and unnatural rebellion against him, his aged father. While they were thus speaking, a message came in that a large number of armed men, three or four hundred strong, with banners flying and pipes playing, were just in sight on the hill above Dingwall. The Earl became alarmed, not knowing whom they might be or what their object was, whereupon Mackenzie said that it could be no other than Kenneth and his rebellious followers coming to punish him for paying his lordship this visit without his consent and he advised the Earl to leave at once, as he was not strong enough to resist the enemy, and to take him (the old chief) along with him in order to protect him from his son's violence, which would now, in consequence of this visit he directed against him more than ever. The Earl and his retinue at once withdrew to Easter Ross. Kenneth ordered his men to pursue them. He overtook them as they were crossing the bridge of Dingwall and killed several of them; but having attained his object of frightening Huntly out of Ross, he ordered his men to desist. This skirmish is known as the "affair of Dingwall Bridge." [Ardintoul MS.]

In 1556 Y Mackay of Farr, progenitor of the Lords of Reay, refused to appear before the Queen Regent at Inverness, to answer charges made against him for depredations committed in Sutherlandshire; and she issued a commission to John, fifth Earl of Sutherland, to lay Mackay's country waste. Mackay, satisfied that he could not successfully oppose the Earl's forces in the field, pillaged and plundered another district of Sutherland. The Earl conveyed intelligence of how matters stood to John of Kintail, who, in terms of the bond of manrent entered into between them in 1545, despatched his son Kenneth with an able body of the clan to arrest Mackay's progress, which duty he performed most effectually. Meeting at Brora, a severe contest ensued, which terminated in the defeat of Mackay, with the loss of Angus MacIain Mhoir, one of his chief commanders, and many of his clan. Kenneth was thereupon, conjointly with his father, appointed by the Earl of Sutherland - then the Queen's Lieutenant north of the Spey, and Chamberlain of the Earldom of Ross [Sir Robert Gordon, p. 134.] - his deputies in the management of this vast property, at the same time placing them in possession of Ardmeanoch, or Redcastle, which remained ever since, until within a recent period, in the possession of the family, becoming the property of Kenneth's third son, Ruairidh Mor, first of the house of Redcastle, and progenitor of the family of Kincraig and other well-known branches.

After this, Kintail seems to have lived in peace during the remainder of his long life. He died at his home at Inverchonan, in 1561, about eighty years of age. He was buried in the family aisle at Beauly. That he was a man of proved valour is fully established by the distinguished part he took in the battles of Flodden and Pinkie. The Earl of Cromarty informs us that, "in his time he purchased much of the Brae-lands of Ross, and secured both what he acquired and what his predecessors had, by well ordered and legal security, so that it is doubtful whether his predecessors' courage or his prudence contributed most to the rising of the family."

In illustration of the latter quality, we quote the following story: John Mackenzie of Kintail "was a very great courtier and counsellor of Queen Maries. Much of the lands of Brae Ross were acquired by him, which minds me how he entertained the Queen's Chamberlain who she sent north to learn the state and condition of the gentry of Ross, minding to feu her interest of that Earldome. Sir John, hearing of their coming to his house of Killin, he caused his servants put on a great fyre of ffresh arn wood newly cutt, which when they came in (sitting on great jests of wood which he caused sett there a purpose) made such a reek that they were almost blinded, and were it not the night was so ill they would rather goe than byde it. They had not long sitten when his servants came in with a great bull, which presently they brained on the floor, and or they well could look about, this fellow with his dirk, and that fellow with his, were cutting collops of him. Then comes in another sturdie lusty fellow with a great calderon in his hand, and ane axe in the other, and with its shaft stroak each of these that were cutting the collops, and then made Taylzies of it and put all in the kettle, sett it on the same tire before them all and helped the tire with more green wood. When all was ready as he had ordered, a long, large table was covered and the beef sett on in great scaills of dishes instead of pleats. They had scarcely sitten to supper when they let loose six or sevin great hounds to supp the broth, but before they made ane end of it, they made such a tulzie as made them all start at the table. The supper being ended, and longing for their bedds (but much more for day), there comes in 5 or 6 lustie women with windlings of strae (and white plaids) which they spread on each side of the house, whereon the gentlemen were forced to lye in their cloaths, thinking they had come to purgatory before hand; but they had no sooner seen day light than without stayeing dinner they made to the gett, down to Ross where they were most noblie entertained be Ffowlis, Belnagowin, Miltoun, and severall other gentlemen. But when they were come south the Queen asked who were the ablest men they saw there. They answered all they did see lived like princes, except Her Majesty's great courtier and counsellor Mackenzie. So tells her all their usage in his house, and that he slept with his doggs and sat with his hounds, wherat the Queen leugh mirrily (whatever her thoughts was of M'Kenzie) and said 'It were a pity of his poverty, ffor he is the best and honestest among them all.' The Queen thereafter having called all the gentry of Ross to hold their lands of the Crown in feu, Mackenzie got (by her favour and his pretended poverty) the easiest feu, and for his 1000 merks more than any of the rest had for three." [Ancient MS.]

John had a natural son named Dugall, who lived in Applecross, and married a niece of Macleod of Harris, by whom he had a son and one daughter. The son, also named Dugall, was a schoolmaster in Chanonry, and died without issue. The daughter was married to Duncan Mackenzie, Reraig, and after his death to Mackintosh of Strone. Dugall, the elder, was killed by the Mathesons at Kishorn. John had also a natural daughter, Janet, who married first Mackay of Reay, and secondly, Roderick Macleod, X. of Lewis, with issue - Torquil Cononach; and afterwards "Ian Mor na Tuaighe," brother of John MacGillechallum of Raasay, with whom she eloped.

He married Elizabeth, daughter of John, tenth Laird of Grant, and by her had an only son and successor,

X. KENNETH MACKENZIE,

Commonly known as Coinneach na Cuirc, or Kenneth of the Whittle, so called from his skill in wood carving and general dexterity with the Highland "sgian dubh." He succeeded his father in 1561. In the following year he was among the chiefs who, at the head of their followers, met Queen Mary at Inverness, and helped her to obtain possession of the Castle after Alexander Gordon, the governor, refused her admission. In the same year an Act of Privy Council, dated the 21st of May, bears that he had delivered up Mary Macleod, the heiress of Harris and Dunvegan, of whom he had previously by accident obtained the custody, into the hands of Queen Mary, with whom she afterwards remained for several years as a maid of honour. The Act is as follows:

"The same day, in presence of the Queen's Majesty and Lords of Secret Council, compeared Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail, who, being commanded by letters and also by writings direct from the Queen's Grace, to exhibit, produce, and present before her Highness Mary Macleod, daughter and heir of the umquwhile William Macleod of Harris, conform to the letters and charges direct thereupon: And declared that James Macdonald had an action depending the Lords of Session against him for deliverance of the said Mary to him, and that therefore he could not gudlie (well) deliver her. Notwithstanding the which the Queen's Majesty ordained the said Kenneth to deliver the said Mary to her Highness and granted that he should incur 'no scaith thairthrou' at the hands of the said James or any others, notwithstanding any title or action they had against him therefor; and the said Kenneth knowing his dutiful obedience to the Queen's Majesty, and that the Queen had ordained him to deliver the said Mary to her Highness in manner foresaid which he in no wise could disobey - and therefore delivered the said Mary to the Queen's Majesty conform to her ordinance foresaid." ["Transactions of the Iona Club," pp. 143-4.]

Prior to this Mackenzie refused to give her up to her lawful guardian, James Macdonald of Dunyveg and the Glens. In 1563 we find him on the jury, with James, Earl of Moray, and others, at Inverness, by whom John Campbell of Cawdor was served heir to the Barony of Strathnairn. ["Invernessiana," p.229.] Kenneth was advanced in years before he came into possession, and took, as we have seen, an active and distinguished part in all the affairs of his clan during the life of his long-lived father. He seems after his return from Inverness, on the occasion of meeting Queen Mary there, to have retired very much into private life, for, on Mary's escape from Lochleven Castle he sent his son Colin, then quite a youth attending his studies at Aberdeen, at the head of his vassals, to join the Earl of Huntly, by whom Colin was sent, according to the Laird of Applecross, "as one whose prudence he confided, to advise the Queen's retreat to Stirling, where she might stay in security till all her friends were convocate, but by an unhappy council she refused this advice and fought at Langside, where Colin was present, and when by the Regent's [The Earl of Moray, appointed to the office after Mary's defeat.] insolence, after that victory, all the loyal subjects were forced to take remissions for their duty, as if it were a crime. Amongst the rest Mackenzie takes one, the only one that ever any of his family had and this is rather a mark of his fidelity than evidence of failure, and an honour, not a task of his posterity." It would have been already seen that another remission had been received at an earlier date, for the imprisonment and murder of John Glassich, son and successor to Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch, in Ellandonnan Castle. Dr George Mackenzie says that Kenneth apprehended John Glassich and sent him prisoner to the Castle, where he was poisoned by the constable's lady, [This lady was Nighean Iamhair, and was spouse to John MacMhurchaidh Dhuibh, the Priest of Kintail, who was then chosen constable of Ellandonnan for the following reason: A great debate arose between the Maclennans and the Macraes about this important and honourable post, and the laird finding them irreconcilable, lest they should kill one another, and he being a stranger in the country himself, Mackenzie, on the advice of the Lord of Fairburn, elected the priest constable of the castle. This did not suit the Maclennans, and, as soon as Mackenzie left the country, they, one Sabbath morning, as the priest was coming home from church, 'e sends a man in ambush in his road who shot him with an arrow in the buttocks, so that he fell. The ambusher thinking him killed, and perceiving others coming after the priest that road, made his escape, and he (the priest) was carried to his boat alive. Of this priest are all the Murchisons in thise countries descended." - Ancient MS.] whereupon "ane certain female, foster-sister of his, composed a Gaelic rhyme to commemorate him." The Earl of Cromartie gives as the reason for this imprisonment and murder that, according to rumour John Glassich intended to prosecute his father's claim to the Kintail estates, and Kenneth hearing of this sent for him to Brahan, John came suspecting nothing, accompanied only by his ordinary servants. Kenneth questioned him regarding the suspicious rumours in circulation, and not being quite satisfied with the answers, he caused John Glassich to be at once apprehended. One of John's servants, named John Gearr, seeing his master thus inveigled, struck at Kenneth of Kintail a fearful blow with a two-handed sword, but fortunately Kenneth, who was standing close to the table, nimbly moved aside, and the blow missed him, else he would have been cloven to pieces. The sword made a deep cut in the table, "so that you could hide your hand edgeways in it," and the mark remained in the table until Colin, first Earl of Seaforth, "caused cut that piece off the table, saying that he loved no such remembrance of the quarrels of his relations." Kenneth was a man of good endowments "he carried so prudently that he had the good-liking of his prince and peace from his neighbours." He had a peculiar genius for mechanics, and was seldom found without his corc - "sgian dubh" - or some other such tool in his hand, with which he produced excellent specimens of hand-carving on wood.

He married early, during his father's lifetime, Lady Elizabeth Stewart, daughter of John, second Earl of Athol, by his wife, Lady Mary Campbell, daughter of Archibald, second, and sister of Colin, third Earl of Argyll, and by her had three sons and several daughters -

I. Murdoch, who, being fostered in the house of Bayne of Tulloch, was presented by that gentleman on his being sent home, with a goodly stock of milch cows and the grazing of Strathvaich, but he died before he attained majority.

II. Colin, who succeeded his father.

III. Roderick, who received the lands of Redcastle and became the progenitor of the family of that name.

IV. Janet, who as his third wife married, first, Aeneas Macdonald,

VII. of Glengarry, with issue - a daughter Elizabeth, who married John Roy Mackenzie, IV. of Gairloch. She married secondly, Alexander Chisholm, XIV. of Chisholm, with issue.

V. Catherine, who, as his second wife, married Alexander Ross, IX. of Balnagown, with issue - one son Nicholas Alexander, who died on the 21st of October, 1592.

VI. Agnes, who married Lachlan Mor Mackintosh of Mackintosh, [The following anecdote is related of this match: Lachlan Mackintosh, being only an infant when his father, William Mackintosh of that ilk, was murdered in 1550, was carried for safety by some of his humble retainers to the county of Ross. This came to the knowledge of Colin, younger of Kintail, who took possession of the young heir of Mackintosh, and carried him to Ellandonnan Castle. The old chief retained him, and treated him with great care until the years of pupilarity had expired, and then married him to his daughter Agnes, by no means an unsuitable match for either, apart from the time and manner in which it was consummated.] with issue.

VII. A daughter who married Walter Urquhart of Cromarty.

VIII. A daughter who married Robert Munro of Fowlis.

IX. A daughter who married Innes of Inverbreackie.

By Kenneth's marriage to Lady Elizabeth Stewart, the Royal blood of the Plantaganets was introduced into the Family of Kintail, and it was afterwards strengthened and the strain further continued by the marriage of Kenneth's son, Colin Cam, to Barbara Grant of Grant, daughter of Lady Marjory Stewart, daughter of John, third Earl of Athol.

By the inter-marriages of his children Kenneth left his house singularly powerful in family alliances, and as has been already seen he in 1554 derived very substantial benefits from them himself. He died at Killin on the 6th of June, 1568, and was burried at Beauly. He was succeeded by his second and eldest surviving son,

XI. COLIN CAM MACKENZIE,

Or COLIN THE ONE-EYED, who very early became a special favourite at Court, particularly with the King himself; so much, the Earl of Cromartie says, that "there was none in the North for whom he hade a greater esteem than for this Colin. He made him one of his Privie Councillors, and oft tymes invited him to be nobilitate (ennobled); but Colin always declined it, aiming rather to have his familie remarkable for power, as it were, above their qualitie than for titles that equalled their power." We find that "in 1570 King James VI. granted to Coline Makcainze, the son and apparent heir of the deceased Canzeoch of Kintaill, permission to be served heir in his minority to all the lands and rents in the Sheriffdom of Innerness, in which his father died last vest and seised. In 1572 the same King confirmed a grant made by Colin Makcanze of Kintaill to Barbara Graunt, his affianced spouse, in fulfilment of a contract between him and John Grant of Freuchie, dated 25th April 1571, of his lands of Climbo, Keppach, and Ballichon, Mekle Innerennet, Derisduan Beg, Little Innerennet, Derisduan Moir, Auchadrein, Kirktoun, Ardtulloch, Rovoch, Quhissil, Tullych, Derewall and Nuik, Inchchro, Morowoch, Glenlik, Innersell and Nuik, Ackazarge, Kinlochbeancharan, and Innerchonray, in the Earldom of Ross, and Sheriffdom of Inverness. In 1574 the same Colin was served heir to his father Kenneth M'Keinzie in the davach of Letterfernane, the davach of Glenshall, and other lands in the barony of Ellendonane of the old extent of five marks." [Origines Parechiales Scotia, p. 393, vol, ii.]

On the 15th of April, 1569, Colin, along with Alexander Ross of Balnagown, Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh, Walter Urquhart of Cromarty, Robert Munro of Fowlis, Hugh Rose of Kilravock, and several others, signed a bond of allegiance to James VI. and to James Earl of Murray as Regent. On the 21st of June, in the same year, before the Lord Regent and the Privy Council, Colin promised and obliged himself to cause Torquil Macleod of Lewis to obtain sufficient letters of slams from the master, wife, bairns, and principal kin and friends of the umquhile John Mac Ian Mhoir, and on the said letters of slams being obtained Robert Munro of Fowlis promised and obliged himself to deliver to the said Torquil or Colin the sum of two hundred merks consigned in Robert Munro's hands by certain merchants in Edinburgh for the assithment of slaughters committed at Lochcarron in connection with the fishings in that Loch. On the 1st of August, 1569, Colin signs a decree arbitral between himself and Donald Gormeson Macdonald, sixth of Sleat, the full text of which will be found at pp. 185-88 of Mackenzie's "History of the Macdonalds and Lords of the Isles."

In 1570 a quarrel broke out between the Mackenzies and the Munros. Leslie, the celebrated Bishop of Ross, who had been secretary to Queen Mary, dreading the effect of public feeling against prelacy in the North, and against himself personally, made over to his cousin Leslie of Balquhair, his rights and titles to the Chanonry of Ross, together with the castle lands, in order to divest them of the character of church property, and so save them to his family but notwithstanding this grant, the Regent Murray gave the custody of the castle to Andrew Munro of Milntown, a rigid presbyterian, and in high favour with Murray, who promised Leslie some of the lands of the barony of Fintry in Buchan as an equivalent but the Regent died before this arrangement was carried out - before Munro obtained titles to the castle and castle lands as he expected. Yet he ultimately obtained permission from the Earl of Lennox, during his regency, and afterwards from the Earl of Mar, his successor in that office, to get possession of the castle.

The Mackenzies were by no means pleased to see the Munros occupying the stronghold; and, desirous to obtain possession of it themselves, they purchased Leslie's right, by virtue of which they demanded delivery of the castle. This was at once refused by the Munros. Kintail raised his vassals, and, joined by a detachment of the Mackintoshes, [In the year 1573, Lachlan More, Laird of Mackintosh, favouring Kintail, his brother-in law, required all the people of Strathnairn to join him against the Munros. Colin, Lord of Lorn had at the time the adminstration of that lordship as the jointure lands of his wife, the Countesa Dowager of Murray, and he wrote to Hugh Rose of Kilravock: "My Baillie off Strathnarne, for as much as it is reported to me that Mackintosh has charged all my tenants west of the water of Naim to pass forward with him to Ross to enter into this troublous action with Mackenzie against the Laird of Fowlis, and because I will not that any of mine enter presently this matter whose service appertains to me, wherefore I will desire you to make my will known to my tenants at Strathnarne within your Bailliary, that none of them take upon hand to rise at this present with Mackintosh to pass to Ross, or at any time hereafter without my special command and goodwill obtained under such pains," etc. (Dated) Darnoway, 28th of June, 1573. - "Kilravock Writs," p.263.] garrisoned the steeple of the Cathedral Church, and laid siege to Irvine's Tower and the Palace. The Munros held out for three years, but one day the garrison becoming short of provisions, they attempted a sortie to the Ness of Fortrose, where there was at the time a salmon stell, the contents of which they attempted to secure. They were commanded by John Munro, grandson of George, fourth laird of Fowlis, who was killed at the battle of "Bealach-nam-Brog." They, were immediately discovered, and quickly followed by the Mackenzies, under lain Dubh Mac Ruairidh Mhic Alastair, who fell upon the starving Munros, and, after a desperate struggle, killed twenty-six of their number, among whom was their commander, while the victors only sustained a loss of two men killed and three or four wounded. The remaining defenders of the castle immediately capitulated, and it was taken possession of by the Mackenzies. Subsequently it was confirmed to the Baron of Kintail by King James VI. [Sir Robert Gordon, p. 154, and MS. Histories of the Family.] Roderick Mor Mackenzie of Redcastle seems to have been the leading spirit in this affair. The following document, dated at Holyrood House, the 12th of September 1573, referring to the matter will prove interesting -

Anent our Sovereign Lord's letters raised at the instance of Master George Munro, making mention: that whereas he is lawfully provided to the Chancellory of Ross by his Highness's presentation, admission to the Kirk, and the Lords' decree thereupon, and has obtained letters in all the four forms thereupon and therewith has caused charge the tenants and intromitters with the teind sheaves thereof, to make him and his factors payment; and in the meantime Rory Mackenzie, brother to Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, having continual residence in the steeple of the Chanonry of Ross, which he caused to be built not only to oppress the country with masterful theft, sorning, and daily oppression, but also for suppressing of the word of God which was always preached in the said Kirk preceding his entry thereto, which is now become a filthy stye and den of thieves; has masterfully and violently with a great force of oppression, come to the tenants indebted in payment of the said Mr George's benefice aforesaid and has masterfully reft them of all and whole the fruits thereof; and so he having no other refuge for obtaining of the said benefice, was compelled to denounce the said whole tenants rebels and put them to the horn, as the said letters and execution thereof more fully purports; and further is compelled for fear of the said Mr George's life to remain from his vocation whereunto God has called him. And anent the charge given to the said Rory Mackenzie to desist and cease from all intromitting, uptaking, molesting or troubling of the said Mr George's tenants of his benefice above-written for any fruits or duties thereof, otherwise than is ordered by law, or else to have compeared before my Lord Regent's grace and Lords of Secret Council at a certain day bypast, and show a reasonable cause why the same should not be done; under the pain of rebellion and putting him to the horn, with certification to him, and he failing, letters would be directed simpliciter to put him to the horn, like as is at more length contained in the said letters, execution and endorsement thereof. Which being called, the said Master George compeared personally, and the said Rory Mackenzie oftimes called and not compearing, my Lord Regent's grace, with advise of the Lords of Secret Council, ordained letters to be directed to officers of arms, Sheriffs in that part, to denounce the said Rory Mackenzie our Sovereign Lord's rebel and put him to the horn and to escheat and bring in all his moveable goods to his Highness's use for his contempt. [Records of the Privy Council.]

In December of the same year Colin has to provide cautioners, for things laid to his charge, to the amount of ten thousand pounds, that he shall remain within four miles of Edinburgh, and eastward as far as the town of Dunbar, and that he shall appear before the Council on a notice of forty-eight hours. On the 6th of February following other cautioners bind themselves to enter him in Edinburgh on the 20th of May, 1574, remaining there until relieved, under a penalty of ten thousand pounds. He is entered to keep ward in Edinburgh on the 1st March, 1575, and is bound to appear before the Council when required under a similar penalty. On the 10th of April following he signs a bond that Alexander Ross shall appear before the Lords when required to do so. On the 25th of May, 1575, at Chanonry, Robert Munro of Fowlis and Walter Urquhart, Sheriff of Cromarty, bind themselves their heirs, and successors, under a penalty of five thousand pounds, that they shall on a month's notice enter and present Roderick Mor Mackenzie of Redcastle before the King and the Privy Council and that he shall remain while lawful entry be taken of him, and that he shall keep good rule in his country in the meantime. On the same day Colin, his brother, "of his own free motive will" binds himself and his heirs to relieve and keep these gentlemen scaithless of the amount of this obligation. He is one of several Highland chiefs charged by the Regent and the Privy Council on the 19th of February, 1577-78, to defend Donald Mac Angus of Glengarry from an expected invasion of his territories by sea and land. [Register of the Privy Council.]

The disturbed state of the country was such, in 1573, that the Earl of Sutherland petitioned to be served heir to his estates, at Aberdeen, as he could not get a jury together to sit at Inverness, "in consequence of the barons, such as Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, Hugh Lord Lovat, Lachlan Mackintosh of Dunachton, and Robert Munro of Fowlis, being at deadly feud among themselves." [Antiquarian Notes, p. 79]

In 1580 a desperate quarrel broke out between the Mackenzies and Macdonalds of Glengarry. The Chief of Glengarry inherited part of Lochalsh, Lochcarron, and Lochbroom, from his grandmother, Margaret, one of the sisters and co-heiresses of Sir Donald Macdonald of Lochalsh, and grand-daughter of Celestine of the Isles. Kenneth, during his father's life, had acquired the other part by purchase from Dingwall of Kildun, son of the other co-heiress of Sir Donald, on the 24th November, 1554, and Queen Mary confirmed the grant by Royal charter. Many causes leading to disputes and feuds can easily be imagined with such men in close proximity. Glengarry and his followers "sorned" on Mackenzie's tenants, not only in the immediate vicinity of his own property of Lochcarron, but also during their raids from Glengarry, on the outskirts of Kintail, and thus Mackenzie's dependants were continually harrassed by Glengarry's cruelty and ill-usage. His own tenants in Lochalsh and Lochcarron fared little better, particularly the Mathesons in the former, and the Clann Ian Uidhir in the latter, who were the original possessors of Glengarry's lands in that district. These tribes, finding themselves in such abject slavery, though they regularly paid their rents and other dues, and seeing how kindly Mackenzie used the neighbouring tenantry, envied their more comfortable state and "abhorred Glengarry's rascality, who would lie in their houses (yea, force their women and daughters) so long as there was any good to be given, which made them keep better amity and correspondence with Mackenzie and his tenants than with their own master and his followers. This may partly teach how superiors ought always to govern and oversee their tenantry and followers, especially in the Highlands, who were ordinarily made up of several clans, and will not readily underlie such slavery as the Incountry Commons will do."

The first serious outbreak between the Glengarry Macdonalds and the Mackenzies originated thus: One Duncan Mac Ian Uidhir Mhic Dhonnachaidh, known as "a very honest gentleman," who, in his early days, lived under Glengarry, and was a very good deerstalker and an excellent shot, often resorted to the forest of Glasletter, then the property of Mackenzie of Gairloch, where he killed many of the deer. Some time afterwards, Duncan was, in consequence of certain troubles in his own country, obliged to leave, and he, with all his family and goods, took up his quarters in Glen Affrick, close to the forest. Soon after, he went, accompanied by a friend, to the nearest hill, and began his favourite pursuit of deerstalking. Mackenzie's forester perceiving the stranger, and knowing him as an old poacher, cautiously walked up, came upon him unawares, and demanded that he should at once surrender himself and his arms. Duncan, finding that Gairloch's forester was only accompanied by one gillie, "thought it an irrecoverable affront that he and his man should so yield, and refused to do so on any terms, whereupon the forester being ill-set, and remembering former abuses in their passages," he and his companion killed the poachers, and buried them in the hill. Fionnla Dubh Mac Dhomh'uill Mhoir and Donald Mac Ian Leith, the latter a native of Gairloch, were suspected of the crime, but it was never proved against them, though they were both several times put on their trial by the barons of Kintail and Gairloch.

About two years after the murder was committed, Duncan's bones were discovered by one of his friends, who had continued all the time diligently to search for him. The Macdonalds always suspected foul play, and this having now been placed beyond question by the discovery of the bodies of the victims, a party of them started, determined to revenge the death of their clansman; and, arriving at Inchlochell, Glenstrathfarrar, then the property of Rory Mor Mackenzie of Redcastle, they found Duncan Mac Ian Mhic Dhomh'uill Mhoir, a brother of the suspected Finlay Dubh, without any fear of approaching danger, busily engaged ploughing his patch of land, and they at once attacked and killed him. The renowned Rory Mor, hearing of the murder of his tenant, at once despatched a messenger to Glengarry demanding redress and the punishment of the assassins, but Glengarry refused. Rory was, however, determined to have satisfaction, and he resolved, against the counsel of his friends, to have retribution for this and previous injuries at once and as best he could. Having thus decided, he at once sent for his friend, Dugall Mackenzie of Applecross, to consult him as to the best mode of procedure to ensure success.

Glengarry lived at the time in the Castle of Strone, Lochcarron, and, after consultation, the two Mackenzies resolved to use every means in their power to capture him, or some of his nearest relatives. For this purpose Dugall suggested a plan by which he thought he would induce the unsuspecting Glengarry to meet him on a certain day at Kishorn. Rory Mor, to avoid any suspicion, was to start at once for Lochbroom, under cloak of attending to his interests there; and if Macdonald agreed to meet Dugall at Kishorn, he would immediately send notice of the day to Rory. No sooner had Dugall arrived at home than, to carry out this plan, he dispatched a messenger to Glengarry informing him that he had matters of great importance to communicate to him, and that he wished, for that purpose, to meet him on any day which he might deem suitable.

Day and place were soon appointed, and Dugall at once sent a messenger, as arranged, with full particulars of the proposed meeting to Rory Mor, who instantly gathered his friends, the Clann Allan, and marched them to Lochcarron. On his arrival, he had a meeting with Donald Mac Ian Mhic Ian Uidhir, and Angus Mac Eachainn, both of the Clann Ian Uidhir, and closely allied to Glengarry by blood and marriage, and living on his lands. "Yet notwithstanding this alliance, they, fearing his, and his rascality's further oppression, were content to join Rory in the plot." The appointed day having arrived, Glengarry and his lady (a daughter of the Captain of Clan Ranald, he having previously sent away his lawfull wife, a daughter of the laird of Grant) came by sea to Kishorn. He and Dugall Mackenzie having conferred together for some time discussing matters of importance to each as neighbours, Glengarry took his leave, but while being convoyed to his boat, Dugall suggested the impropriety of his going home by sea in such a clumsy boat, when he had only a distance of two miles to walk, and if he did not suspect his own inability to make the lady comfortable for the night, he would be glad to provide for her and see her home safely next morning. Macdonald declined the proffered hospitality to his lady. He sent her home by the boat, accompanied by four of his followers, and told Dugall that he would not endanger the boat by overloading, but that he and the remainder of his gentlemen and followers would go home on foot.

Rory Mor had meanwhile placed his men in ambush in a place still called Glaic nan Gillean. Glengarry and his train, on their way to Strone Castle, came upon them without the slightest suspicion, when they were suddenly surrounded by Rory's followers, and called upon to surrender. Seeing this, one of the Macdonalds shot an arrow at Redcastle, which fixed in the fringe of his plaid, when his followers, thinking their leader had been mortally wounded furiously attacked the Macdonalds; but Rory commanded his friends, under pain of death, to save the life of Glengarry, who, seeing he had no chance of escape, and hearing Redcastle's orders to his men, threw away his sword, and ran into Rory Mor's arms, begging that his life might be spared. This was at once granted to him, but not a single one of his men escaped from Redcastle's infuriated followers, who started the same night, taking Glengarry along with him, for Lochbroom.

Even this did not satisfy the cruel disposition of Donald Mac Ian Mhic Ian Uidhir and Angus Mac Eachainn, who had an old grudge against their chief, Glengarry, his father having some time previously evicted their father from Attadale, Lochcarron, to which they claimed a right. They, under silence of night, gathered all the Clann Ian Uidhir, and proceeded to Arinaskaig and Dalmartin, where lived at the time three uncles of Glengarry - Gorrie, Rorie, and Ronald - whom they, with all their retainers, killed on the spot. "This murder was undoubtedly unknown to Rory or any of the Mackenzies, though alleged otherwise; for as soon as his nephew, Colin of Kintail, and his friends heard of this accident, they were much concerned, and would have him (Rory) set Glengarry at liberty but all their persuasions would not do tell he was secured of him by writ and oath, that he and his would never pursue this accident either legally or unlegally, and which, as was said, he never intended to do, till seventeen years thereafter, when, in 1597, the children of these three uncles of Glengarry arrived at manhood," determined, as will be seen hereafter, to revenge their father's death. [Ancient and Ardintoul MSS.]

Gregory, however, says (p. 219) that after his liberation, Glengarry complained to the Privy Council, who, investigating the matter, caused the Castle of Strone, which Macdonald yielded to Mackenzie as one of the conditions of his release, to be placed under the temporary custody of the Earl of Argyll and Mackenzie of Kintail was detained at Edinburgh in open ward to answer such charges as might be brought against him. [Records of Privy Council of date 10th August and 2d December 1582; 11th January and 8th March 1582-3.] In 1586 King James VI. granted a remission to "Colin M'Kainzie of Kintaill and Rodoric M'Kainzie of Auchterfailie" (Redcastle), "his brother, for being art and part in the cruel murder of Rodoric M'Allester in Stroll; Gorie M'Allester, his brother, in Stromcraig; Ronnald M'Gorie, the son of the latter; John Roy M'Allane v' Allester, in Pitnean; John Dow M'Allane v' Allester, in Kirktoun of Lochcarroun; Alexander M'Allanroy, servitor of the deceased Rodoric; Sir John Monro in Lochbrume; John Monro, his son; John Monro Hucheoun, and the rest of their accomplices, under silence of night, upon the lands of Ardmanichtyke, Dalmartene, Kirktoun of Lochcarroun, Blahat, and other parts within the baronies of Lochcarroun, Lochbrume, Ros, and Kessane, in the Sheriffdom of Innerness," and for all their other past crimes, ["Origines Parochiales Scotia" and Retours.]

During Colin's reign Huntly obtained a commission of fire and sword against Mackintosh of Mackintosh, and reduced him to such a condition that he had to remove with all his family and friends for better security to the Island of Moy. Huntly, having determined to crush him, came to Inverness and prepared a fleet of boats with which to besiege the island. These preparations having been completed, and the boats ready to be drawn across the hills from Inverness to Moy, Mackenzie, who had been advised of Huntly's intentions, despatched a messenger - John Mackenzie of Kinnock - to Inverness, to ask his Lordship to be as favourable as possible to his sister, Mackintosh of Mackintosh's wife, and to treat her as a gentlewoman ought to be treated when he came to Moy, and that he (Colin) would consider it as an act of personal courtesy to himself. The messenger delivered his message, to which Huntly replied, that if it were his good fortune, as he doubted not it would be, to apprehend her husband and her, "she would be the worst used lady in the North; that she was an ill instrument against his cause, and therefore he would cut her tail above her houghs." "Well, then," answered Kinnock, "he (Kintail) bade me tell your Lordship if that were your answer, that perhaps he or his would be there to have a better care of her." "I do not value his being there more than herself" Huntly replied, "and tell him so much from me." The messenger departed, when some of Huntly's principal officers who heard the conversation remonstrated with his Lordship for sending the Mackenzie chief so uncivil an answer, as he might have cause to regret it if that gentleman took it amiss. Kinnock on his arrival at Brahan, told his master what had occurred, and delivered Huntly's rude message. Colin, who was at the time in delicate health, sent for his brother, Rory Mor of Redcastle, and sent him next day across the ferry of Ardersier with a force of four hundred warriors. These he marched straight through the hills; and just as Huntly, on his way from Inverness, was coming in sight, on the west of Moy, Rory and his followers were marching along the face of the hill on the east side of the Island, when his Lordship, perceiving such a large force, asked his officers who they could be. One of them, present during the interview with Mackenzie's messenger on the previous day, answered, "Yonder is the effect of your answer to Mackenzie." "I wonder," replied Huntly, "how he could have so many men ready almost in an instant." The officer replied, "Their leader is so active and fortunate that his men will flock to him from all parts on a moment's notice when he has any ado. And before you gain Mackintosh or his lady you will lose more than he is worth, since now, as it seems, her friends take part in the quarrel;" whereupon the Earl retired with his forces to Inverness, "so that it seemed fitter to Huntly to agree their differs friendly than prosecute the laws further against Mackintosh."

There is a complaint to the Privy Council by Christian Scrymgeour, relict of the late Alexander, Bishop of Ross, dated 24th January, 1578-9, in which it is stated that Colin not only stopped and debarred her late spouse from having fuel and "elding" to his dwelling house in the Chanonry of Ross, where he made his residence last summer, but stopped him also from victuals to his house, using such unhuman and cruel dealings against him that he fell sick and never recovered "till he departed this life." During the illness of the bishop in December preceding, Colin and others "of his special sending" enclosed the house of the Chanonry and debarred the complainer and her husband of meat and drink and all other relief of company or comfort of neighbours and friends, and how soon he had intelligence of the bishop's approaching his death he laid ambushes of armed men within the town of Chanonry and in the neighbourhood and apprehended several of the bishop's and dean's servants, whom he carried "immediately to the said Colin's house of the Redcastle," and there detained them for twenty-four hours. Further, on the 22nd of September preceding, the bishop being at the extreme point of death, Colin with an armed following in great numbers, came to the castle and house of the Chanonry and by force and violence entered therein and put the said Christian Scrymgeour, the bishop's wife, and his servants, children, and household out of the same, intromitted with their goods and gear and constrained them to leave the country by sea, not suffering them to get meat, drink, or lodging, in the town, nor letting them take away with them of their own gear as much as a plaid or blanket to protect the children from cold in the boat, "committing thair throw such cruel and barbarous oppression upon them as the like has not been heard of in any realm or country subject to justice or the authority of a Sovereign Prince." Colin did not appear to answer this complaint, and he and his chief abettors were denounced rebels, put to the horn and escheated.

On the same day, there is a complaint by Henry Lord Methven, in which it is stated that although his Lordship "has by gift of His Highness to him, his heirs and assignees, the gift of all and whole the temporality of the Bishopric of Ross, and of the castle, house, and place of the Chanonry of Ross, now vacant in our Sovereign Lord's hands by the decease of the late Alexander, last Bishop of Ross, of all years and terms to come, aye and till the lawful provision of a lawful bishop and pastor to the said bishopric," and although it is "specially provided by Act of Parliament that whatsoever person or persons takes any bishop's places, castles, or strengths, or enters by their own authority to hold them without his Highness' command, letters or charges, shall incur the crimes of treason and lesemajesty," yet, "Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, in proud and high contempt of his Majesty's said loveable law and Act of Parliament, and of his Highness now having the administration of the Government of the realm in his own person, lately, upon the 22nd day of September last bypast, in the very hour of the death of the said late Alexander, Bishop of Ross, or shortly thereafter beset and enclosed the said castle, house, and place of the Chanonry of Ross, took the same by force and as yet detains and holds the same as a house of war and will not render and deliver the same to the said Lord Methven.' Mackenzie was duly charged to give up possession of the castle and place or take the consequences. Lord Methven appeared personally, but Colin did not, where-upon their Lordships ordained letters to be directed to him charging him to give them up, "with the whole munition and ordnance therein" to Henry Lord Methven or to any other having power to receive them, within twenty-four hours of the charge under the pain of treason.

The following complaint by Donald Mac Angus of Glengarry laid before the Privy Council at Dalkeith on 10th of August, 1582, is that gentleman's version of his apprehension by Roderick Mor Mackenzie of Redcastle and Dugall Mackenzie of Kishorn, as described from family MSS. at pp. 156-59. Glengarry's complaint proceeds -

After the great slaughters, herschips, and skaiths, committed upon him, his kin, friends, and servants upon the last day of February the year of God 1581 years, estimate worth six score thousand pounds money of this realm or thereby, and on the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth days of March last bypast thereafter by Rory Mackenzie, brother-german to Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, Dugald Mackenzie, his brother and the remainder of their colleagues and company, to the number of two hundred persons, armed with two-handed swords, bows, darlochis, hagbutts, pistols, prohibited to be worn or used, and other offensive weapons who also upon the sixteenth day of April last bypast or thereby, came upon the said complainant he being within his own "rowmes" and country of Lochcarron having mind of no evil or injury to have been done to him nor none of his, but thinking to have lived under God's peace and our Sovereign Lord, and then not only took himself captive, kept and detained him prisoner in coves, craigs, woods, and other desert places at their pleasure wherethrough none of his kin nor friends had access to him for the space of fourteen days or thereby, but also in the meantime took and apprehended the late Rory MacAlister, father's brother to the said complainant, and three of their sons and other of his friends and servants to the number of 33 persons or thereby, bound their hands with their own shirts, and cruelly and unmercifully, under promise of safety of their lives, caused murder and slay them with dirks, appointing that they should not be buried as Christian men, but cast forth and eaten by dogs and swine." Further, "at the end of the said complainant's captivity and detention in the manner aforesaid, being delivered by the foresaid person, his takers and detainers, to Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, both he and they, being armed in warlike manner as said is, upon the 24th day of the said month of April, came to the said complainant's town and lands of Strome, where they also carried him captive with them and theirs, by hostility and way of deed, spoiled and reft the whole goods, gear, and plenishing therein and besieged his house and Castle of Strome, threatening his friends and servants therein that if they rendered not the same to them they would hang the said complainant in their sight compelling him and his said friends therefor and for safety of his life to yield to the said persons' tyrranous desires and appetites, and render to them the said castle, which they not only wrongfully detained and withheld from him, but also through occasion thereof still insists in their cruelty and inhumanity against the said complainant, his kin and friends. Like as lately, about the end of July last, the said Colin Mackenzie Rory Mackenzie, and others aforesaid, having violently taken Donald MacMoroch Roy, one of the said complainant's chief kinsmen, and were not content to put him to a simple death, but to bait them in his blood, and by a strange example to satisfy their cruel and unnatural hearts, first cut off his hands, next his feet, and last his head, and having cast the same in a "peitpott," exposed and laid out his carcase to be a prey for dogs and ravenous beasts: Tending by such kind of dealing to undo as many of the said complainant's friends and servants as they can apprehend, and to lay waste their lands, "rowmes," and possessions to the said complainant's heavy hurt and skaith, and dangerous example of wicked persons to attempt the like, if remedy be not provided." In consequence of this complaint charges had gone forth to Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, (1), to have rendered the said Castle of Strome with the munition and goods therein to the complainer or his representatives, within twenty-four hours after being charged, under pain of rebellion, or else to have appeared and shown cause to the contrary; (2) to have appeared and found sufficient surety in the Books of the Council for the safety of the complainer and his dependants in persons and goods, or else shown cause to the contrary, under the same pain. And now, "the said Angus Mac Angus compeared personally and the said Colin Mackenzie of Kintail being oftimes called and not compearing, the Lords (1) repeat their charge for delivery of the castle within twenty-four hours, and, failing obedience, order Mackenzie of Kintail to be denounced rebel and put to the horn and to escheat; (2) repeat their charge to the said Mackenzie to find sufficient caution for the safety of the complainer and his dependants in person and goods, with order that if he fail to do so within fifteen days after being charged, he shall, for that default also, be denounced rebel and put to the horn."

On the 2nd of December, 1582, Colin finds caution in the sum of two thousand merks that he shall deliver up Strome Castle, Lochcarron, to Donald Mac Angus of Glengarry, in the event of the Privy Council finding that he should do so.

Shortly after this the aspect of affairs is changed. On the 11th of January, 1582-83, the decree against Mackenzie for the surrender of Strome Castle to Donald Macdonald of Glengarry is reversed. He petitions the Privy Council and gives an entirely different complexion to the facts of the case against him to those submitted by Glengarry to the Council. He complains of Donald Mac Angus for having "upon a certain sinister and malicious narration" obtained a decree against him charging him upon pain of rebellion to deliver up the Castle of Strome, and to appear before the Privy Council, on the 4th of August preceding, to find caution that Glengarry and his friends should be kept harmless of him in their persons and goods, and then makes the following statement:

The officer, alleged executor of the said letters (against him), neither charged thc said Colin personally nor at his dwelling house, neither yet came any such charge to his knowledge. Yet he hearing tell somewhat thereof by the "bruit" of the country, he, for obedience of the same, directed Alexander Mackenzie, his servant and procurator, to our Burgh of Perth, where his Majesty was resident for the time, who from the same fourth of August, being the peremptory day of compearance, as well there as at Ruthven, attended continually upon the calling of the said letters till the Council dissolved, and that his Majesty passed to Dunkeld to the hunting. Like as immediately thereafter the said Alexander repaired to the Burgh of Edinburgh, where he likewise awaited a certain space thereafter when Council should have been, and the said letters should have been called but perceiving no number of Council neither there nor actually with his Majesty, he looked for no calling of the said letters nor proceeding thereuntil, but that the same should have (been), deserted, because the day was peremptory, at the least till he should have been of new warned and heard in presence of his Highness and his Council to have shown a reasonable cause why no such letters should be granted simpliciter upon the said Colin to the effect above-written. Not-withstanding for by his expectation, he being resident for the time in Edinburgh, where he looked that the said matter should have been called, the said other letters were upon the tenth day of the said month of August last, by moyen of the said Donald Mac Angus, called at the Castle of Dalkeith, and there, for the said Colin's alleged non-compearance, as he is surely informed, decree was pronounced in the said matter and letters ordained to be directed simpliciter against him." Had his said servant, then still in Edinburgh, been made aware of this meeting of Council at Dalkeith, "he would not have failed to have compeared, and had many good and sufficient reasons and defences to have staid all giving of the said letters simpliciter;" such as that "the said Colin received the said castle and fortalice of Strome by virtue of a contract passed betwixt him and the said Donald, wherein he was content and consented that the said castle should remain in the said Colin's hands and keeping unto the time he had fulfilled certain other articles and clauses mentioned and contained in the same contract;" also "that the said Colin was charged, by virtue of letters passed by deliverance of the Lords of Session, to render and deliver the said castle and fortalice of Strome to John Grant of Freuchie, as pertaining to him in heritage, within a certain space after the charge, under the said pain of horning, so that, he being doubly charged, he is uncertain to whom to render the said castle." Moreover, for the satisfaction of the King and the Lords of Council, "the said Colin has found caution to render and deliver the said castle and fortalice to the said Donald, if it shall be found by his Highness and the said Lords that he ought to do the same." For these reasons it is argued that the said decree and letters issued against him ought to be suspended.

Charge having been made to the said Donald Mac Angus to appear to this complaint and demand, "both the said parties compeared personally," and the Lords after hearing them, "suspended the foresaid letters purchased by the said Donald Mac Angus, effect thereof, and process of horning contained therein, and all that has followed thereupon, upon the said Colin simpliciter in time coming," the ground for this decision being that "the said Colin has found security acted in the books of Secret Council that the said castle and fortalice of Strome, committed to him in keeping by the King's Majesty and Lords of Secret Council, shall be rendered and delivered again to such person or persons as shall be appointed by the King's Majesty to receive the same, as the keepers thereof shall be required thereto upon six days' warning, under the pain of ten thousand merks" and meanwhile, under the same pains, that none of the King's subjects shall be "invaded, troubled, molested, nor persecuted," by those who keep the castle for him, or by others resorting thither. There is, however, this proviso -

That, in case the said Colin shall at any time hereafter sue of the King's Majesty to be disburdened of the keeping of the said castle, and that some person may be appointed to receive the same out of his hands and keeping within the space of twenty days next after his said Suit, which notwithstanding shall happen to be refused and not done by his Highness within the said space, that in that case he nor his cautioner be anywise answerable thereafter for the said house and keeping thereof, but to be free of the same, and these presents to annul and to have no further force, effect, nor execution, against them at any time thereafter except that the same house shall happen to be kept by the said Colin or his servants in his name thereafter, for the which in that respect the said Colin shall always be answerable in manner aforesaid and no otherwise.

A bond of caution by Mackenzie, and Lord Lindsay of the Byres as security for him, for ten thousand merks, subscribed on the 20th of January, 1582-83, and registered in the Chanonry of Ross, binds Colin to surrender the Castle of Strome to any person appointed by the King for the purpose, on six days' warning and to fulfil the other duties imposed upon him by the Act of the Privy Council dated the 11th of the same month, already given, but with the proviso in his favour contained in that Act, which is repeated at length in the bond of caution of this date.

In terms of this bond the King and Council at a meeting held at Holyrood on the 8th of March following "for certain causes and considerations moving them," order letters to issue charging Mackenzie and other keepers of the Castle of Strome to deliver the same to Colin, Earl of Argyll, Chancellor, or to his servants in his name within six days after charge under the pains of rebellion, which being done the King "discharges thereafter the sureties found by the said Colin Mackenzie of before, either acted in the books of Secret Council, or by contract, bond, or promise between him and Donald Mac Angus Mac Alastair of Glengarry," the Acts referring to the same to be deleted from the books of the Privy Council.

Colin's name appears again on the 1st of August as surety for a bond of three thousand merks by David Dunbar of Kilstarry and Patrick Dunbar of Blairy.

On the 5th of May, 1585, he is denounced a rebel on a complaint by Hugh Fraser of Guisachan under the following circumstances. Fraser says that a certain "John Dow Mac Allan was lawfully denounced his Highness' rebel and put to the horn at the said Hucheon's instance for not removing from the half davoch of land of Kilboky pertaining to him, conform to a decree obtained by the said Hucheon against the said John Dow Mac Allan." Upon this decree Hugh Fraser "raised letters of caption by deliverance of the Lords of Session to charge the Sheriff of Inverness and other judges in the country where the said John resorts, to take, apprehend him, and keep him conform to the order observed in such cases." In all this process to obtain the decree, with "letters in the four forms, executions and denunciations thereof," and then raising of the said letters of caption thereupon, the complainer has been put to great travel and expenses, having his habitation by the space of eight score miles or thereby distant from the Burgh of Edinburgh." Nevertheless, Colin Mackenzie, "to whom the said John Dow Mac Allan is tenant, servant, and special depender," maintains and assists him in his violent occupation or the complainer's lands, "keeps him in his company, receives him in his house, and otherwise debates him that he cannot be apprehended," so that all the proceedings of the complainer Fraser are frustrated. Colin was thereupon charged to present Mac Allan before the Privy Council, under pain of rebellion, and failing to appear, or present John Dow, and the complainer having appeared personally, an order was pronounced denouncing Mackenzie a rebel.

On the 11th of December next, John Gordon of Pitlurg becomes cautioner in one thousand merks that Colin will not injure Andrew, Lord Dingwall, his tenants, or servants. On the 11th of April, 1586, William Cumming of Inverallochy and others become surety in L1000 that Mackenzie shall "remove his coble, fishers, and nets, from the fishing of the water of Canon, and desist and cease therefrom in time coming, conform to the letters raised at the instance of Andrew, Lord Dingwall, to the same effect, in case it shall be found and declared that the said Colin ought to do the same." On the 4th of May following, Mackenzie binds himself to keep his sureties scaithless in the matter of this caution. On the 16th of the same month, the King and Council "for certain necessary and weighty considerations moving his Highness, tending to the furthering and establishing of his Highness' obedience and the greatness and safety of his peaceable and good subjects from burnings, riefs, and oppression," ordain Colin to enter in ward in Blackness Castle within twenty-four hours after being charged under pain of treason. Two days later, being then in ward in this stronghold, he finds caution in ten thousand merks that on being relieved from ward he will repair to Edinburgh and keep ward there until set free. This is deleted by a warrant subscribed by the King and the Secretary at Falkland on the 6th of the following August. His name appears as one of a long list of Highland chiefs complained against to the Privy Council on the 30th of November, 1586, by the united burghs of the realm for obstructing the fisheries in the northern parts and making extortionate exactions from the fishermen, and again on the 16th of September, 1587, when an order is made to denounce him for his failure to appear before the Council to enter John Mackenzie of Gairloch and his accomplices, for whom Colin is held liable "as master and landlord," to answer a complaint made against them by James Sinclair, Master of Caithness, on the 10th of August preceding. On the 5th of March, 1587-88, John Davidson, burgess of Edinburgh, becomes cautioner in 500 merks that Colin will, if required, enter such of his men before the Privy Council as "assegeit" James, Master of Caithness, within the house of William Robson, in the Chanonry of Ross. On the 27th of July, 1588, he is appointed by a Convention of the Estates member of a Commission, charged with powers for executing the laws against Jesuits, Papists, and other delinquents, and with other extensive powers. On the 24th of May, 1589, he is named as the Commissioner for the shire of Inverness who is to convene the freeholders of the county for choosing the Commissioners to a Parliament to be held at Edinburgh on the 2nd of October in that year, and to report his diligence in this matter to the Council before the 15th of August, under pains of rebellion. On the 4th of June following, he appears in a curious position in connection with a prosecution for witchcraft against several women, and an abridgement of the document, as recorded in the Records of the Privy Council, is of sufficient interest to justify a place here. It is the complaint of Katherine Ross, relict of Robert Munro of Fowlis; Margaret Sutherland, spouse of Hector Munro, portioner of Kiltearn; Bessie Innes, spouse of Neil Munro, in Swordale; Margaret Ross, spouse of John Neil Mac Donald Roy, in Caull; and Margaret Mowat, as follows:

Mr Hector Munro, now of Fowlis, son-in-law of the said Katherine Ross, "seeking all ways and means to possess himself in certain her tierce and conjunct fee lands of the Barony of Fowlis, and to dispossess her therefrom" had first "persued certain of her tenants and servants by way of deed for their bodily harm and slaughter," and then, "finding that he could not prevail that way, neither by sundry other indirect means sought by him," had at last, "upon sinister and wrong information and importunate suit, purchased a commission of the same to his Majesty, and to Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, Rory Mackenzie, his brother, John Mackenzie of Gairloch, Alexander Bain of Tulloch, Angus Mackintosh of Termitt, James Glas of Gask, William Cuthbert, in Inverness, and some others specially mentioned therein, for apprehending of the said Margaret Sutherland, Bessy Innes, Margaret Ross, and Margaret Mowat, and sundry others, and putting them to the knowledge of an assize for witchcraft, and other forged and feinted crimes alleged to be committed by them." Further, "the said persons, by virtue of the same commission, intended to proceed against them most partially and wilfully, and thereby to drive the said complainers to that strait that either they shall satisfy his unreasonable desire, or then to lose their lives, with the sober portion of goods made by them for the sustenance of themselves and their poor bairns: howbeit it be of verity that they are honest women of repute and holding these many years bygone, spotted at no time with any such ungodly practices, neither any ways having committed any offence, but by all their actions behaved themselves so discreetly and honestly as none justly could or can have occasion of complaint - they being ever ready, like they are yet, to underlie the law for all crimes that can be laid to their charge," and having to that effect, "presently found caution for their compearance before the justice and his deputes, or any judge unsuspected, upon fifteen days' warning." Their prayer, accordingly, is that the said commission be discharged. Hector Munro appearing for himself and his colleagues, and the complainers by Alexander Morrison, their procurator, the Lords ordain Mr Hector and the other commissioners to desist a from proceeding against the women, and "remit their trial to be taken before the Justice-General or his deputes a in the next justice court appointed to be held after his Majesty's repairing to the north parts of this realm in the month of July next, at which time, if his Majesty shall not repair thither, or being repaired shall not before his returning cause the same trial to be taken, "in that case commission shall be given to Thomas Fraser of Knocky, tutor of Lovat, John Urquhart of Cadboll, tutor of Cromarty, and Alexander Bayne of Tulloch, or any two of them to administer justice conform to the laws of the realm."

On the 6th of March, 1589-90, Colin is again mentioned as one of the Commissioners for Inverness and Cromarty for executing the Acts against the Jesuits and the seminary of priests, with reconstitution of the Commission of the preceding year for putting the Acts in force and the appointment of a new Commission of select clergy in the shires to cooperate in the work and promote submission to the Confession of Faith and Covenant over the whole Kingdom. On the 8th of June, 1590, officers of arms are ordered to arrest in the hands of David Clapen in Leith, or any other person, any money consigned in their hands, or due by them to Sir William Keith for Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, "or remanent gentlemen and tenants of the Earldom of Ross for their feus thereof" or that rests yet in the hands of Colin or such tenants, unpaid or not consigned by them, and to discharge them from paying the same to Sir William or any other in his name until the King shall further declare his will, under the penalty of paying his Majesty the same sums over again. On the 5th of July in the same year, Colin gives caution of L2000 that William Ross of Priesthill, when released out of the tolbooth of Edinburgh, shall keep ward in that city till he find surety for the entrance of himself and his bastard son, John Ross and others, to appear before the justice to answer for certain crimes specified in letters raised against him by David Munro of Nigg when required upon fifteen days' warning, and satisfy the Treasurer-depute for his escheat fallen to the King through having been put to the horn at the instance of the said David Munro. He repeats the same caution for the same person on the 15th of August following. He is again on record in March, 1591-92, and in June, 1592. He is, along with Simon Lord Lovat, John Grant of Grant, Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh, Ross of Balnagown, Hector Munro of Fowlis, and others, chosen an assistant Commissioner of justiciary for the counties of Elgin, Nairn, and Inverness, in March 1592-93. He was appointed a member of the Privy Council in June, 1592, but he appears not to have accepted the office on that occasion, for on the 16th of February following there is an entry of the admission of Sir William Keith of Delny "in the place appointed by his Majesty, with the advise of his Estates in his last Parliament, for Colin Mackenzie of Kintail, by reason he, being required, has not compeared nor accepted the said place." He, however, accepted the position soon after, for it is recorded under date of 5th July, 1593, that "Colin Mackenzie of Kintail being admitted of the Privy Council gave his oath," in common form.

The great troubles in the Lewis, which ultimately ended in that extensive principality coming into the possession of the House of Kintail, commenced about this time, and although the most important events connected with and leading up to that great result will principally fall to be treated of later on, the quarrel having originated in Colin Cam's time, it may be more convenient to explain its origin under the present.

Roderick Macleod, X. of the Lewis, married, first, Janet, a natural daughter of John Mackenzie of Killin, by whom he had a son, Torquil Cononach, so called from his having been brought up with his mother's relations in Strathconon. Roderick, by all accounts, was not so immaculate in his domestic relations as one might wish, for we find him having no fewer than five bastard sons, named respectively, Tormod Uigeach, Murdoch, Neil, Donald, and Rory Og, all of whom arrived at maturity. In these circumstances it can hardly be supposed that his lady's domestic happiness was of the most felicitous and unmixed description.

It was alleged by this paragon of virtue that she had proved unfaithful to him, and that she had criminal intimacy with the Brieve (Breitheamh), or consistorial judge of the Island. On the other hand, it was maintained that the Brieve in his capacity of judge, had been somewhat severe on the Island chief for his reckless and immoral habits, and for his bad treatment of his lady and that the unprincipled villain, as throughout his whole career he proved himself to be, boldly, and in revenge, turned upon and accused the judge of committing adultery with his wife. Be that as it may, the unfortunate woman, attempting to escape from his cruel treatment, while passing in a large birlinn, from the Lewis to Coigeach, on the opposite side of the coast, was pursued and run down by some of her husband's followers, when she, with all on board, perished. Roderick thereupon disinherited her son, Torquil Cononach, grandson of John of Killin, maintaining that Torquil was not his legitimate son and heir, but the fruit of his wife's unfaithfulness. [Most of the MS. Histories of the family which we have perused state that Rory Macleod's wife was a daughter of Kenneth a Bhlair, but it is impossible that the daughter of a chief who died in 1491 could have been the wife of one who lived in the early years of the seventeenth Century. She must have been Kenneth's granddaughter, as above described, a daughter of John of Kuhn. This view is corroborated by a decree arbitral in 1554, in which Torquil Cononach is called the oy (ogha, or grandson) of John Mackenzie: Acts and Decreets of Session, X., folio 201. The Roderick Macleod who married, probably as his second wife, Agnes, daughter of Kenneth a Bhlair, was Roderick Macleod, seventh of Lewis, who died some time after his father early in the sixteenth century.] Roderick Macleod married secondly, in 1541, Barbara Stewart, daughter of Andrew, Lord Avandale, with issue - Torquil Oighre or the Heir, who died unmarried before his father, having been drowned along with a large number of others while on a voyage in his birlinn, between Lewis and Skye. Macleod married thirdly a daughter or Hector Og, XIII., and sister of Sir Lachlan Maclean, XIV., of Duart, by whom he had two sons - Torquil Dubh, whom he named as his heir and successor, and Tormod, known as Tormod Og. Torquil Cononach, now designated "of Coigeach," married Margaret, daughter of Angus Macdonald, VII. of Glengarry, and widow of Cuthbert of Castlehill, Inverness, who bore him two sons - John and Neil - and five daughters and, raising as many men as would accompany him, he, with the assistance of two of his natural brothers-Tormod and Murdoch-started for the Lewis to vindicate his rights as legitimate heir to the island. He defeated his father, and confined him in the Castle of Stornoway for four years, when he was finally obliged to acknowledge Torquil Cononach as his lawful son and successor. The bastards now quarrelled among themselves. Donald killed Tormod Uigeach. Murdoch, in resentment, seized Donald and carried him to Coigeach; but he afterwards escaped and complained to old Rory, who was highly offended at Murdoch for seizing and with Torquil Cononach for detaining Donald. Roderick ordered Murdoch to be apprehended and confined to his own old quarters in the Castle of Stornoway. Torquil Cononach again returned to the Lewis, reduced the castle, liberated Murdoch, again confined his father, and killed many of his followers, at the same time carrying off all the writs and charters, and depositing them for safety with his uncle, Mackenzie of Kintail. He had meanwhile left his son John (who had been in the service of Huntly, and whom he now called home) in charge of the castle, and in possession of the Lewis. He imprudently banished his natural uncles, Donald and Rory Og, out of the island. Rory Og soon after returned with a considerable number of followers; attacked his nephew, Torquil Cononach's son John, in Stornoway, killed him, and released his own father, old Roderick, who was allowed after this to possess the island in peace during the remainder of his life. "Thus was the Siol Torquil weakened, by private dissensions, and exposed to fall a prey, as it did soon afterwards, to the growing power of the Mackenzies."

In 1594 Alexander Bayne, younger of Tulloch, granted a charter of the lands of Rhindoun in favour of Colin Mackenzie of Kintail and his heirs male, proceeding on a contract of sale between them, dated 10th of March, 1574. On the 10th of July in the same year there is "a contract of alienation" of these lands by the same Colin Mackenzie of Kintail in favour of Roderick Mackenzie of Ardafillie (Redcastle), his brother-german, and his heirs male. A charter implementing this contract is dated the 20th of October following, by which the lands are to be holden blench and for relieving Kintail of the feu-duty and services payable to his superiors." These lands are, in 1625, resigned by Murdoch Mackenzie of Redcastle into the hands of Colin, second Earl of Seaforth, the immediate lawful superior thereof, for new infeftments to be granted to Roderick Mackenzie, his second lawful son. [Writs and Evidents of Lands of Rhindoun. "Antiquarian Notes," pp. 172-73.]

Colin, in addition to his acquisitions in Lochalsh and. Lochcarron, "feued the Lordship of Ardmeanach, and the Barony of Delnys, Brae Ross, with the exception of Western Achnacherich, Wester Drynie, and Tarradale, which Bayne of Tulloch had feued before, but found it his interest to hold of him as immediate superior, which, with the former possessions of the lands of Chanonry, greatly enhanced his influence. Albeit his predecessors were active both in war and peace, and precedent in acquiring their estate; yet this man acquired more than all that went before him, and made such a solid progress in it, that what he had acquired was with the goodwill of his sovereign, and clear unquestionable purchase." He protected his nephew, Torquil Macleod of the Lewis, when he was oppressed by his unnatural relations and natural brothers, and from his he acquired a right to the lands of Assynt. [Earl of Cromartie and other MS. Histories of the Family.]

Colin, in April, 1572, married Barbara, daughter of John Grant of Grant, ancestor of the Earls of Seafield, by Lady Marjory Stewart, daughter of John, third Earl of Athol (Tocher 2000 merks and the half lands of Lochbroom, then the property of her father ["Chiefs of Grant"]), with issue -

I. Kenneth, who succeeded his father, and was afterwards elevated to the Peerage by the title of Lord Mackenzie of Kintail.

II. Roderick, the renowned Sir Roderick Mor Mackenzie of Coigeach, "Tutor of Kintail" and progenitor of the Earls of Cromarty, of the families of Scatwell, Tarvie, Ballone, and other minor Mackenzie septs, of whom in their proper place.

III. Alexander, first of Kilcoy, now represented by Colonel Burton Mackenzie.

IV. Colin of Kinnock and Pitlundie.

V. Murdoch of Kernsary, whose only lawful son, John, was killed at the Battle of Auldearn, in 1645, without issue.

VI. Catherine, who married Simon, eighth Lord Lovat, with issue - Hugh, his heir and successor, and Elizabeth, who married Dunbar of Westfield, Sheriff of Moray.

VII. Janet, who married Hector Maclean, "Eachainn Og," XV. of Duart, with issue - Hector Mor, who succeeded his father Lachlan, and Florence, who married John Garbh Maclean, VII. of Coll.

VIII. Mary, who, as his second wife, married Sir Donald Gorm Mor Macdonald, VII., of Sleat, without issue.

He had also a natural son,

IX. Alexander, by Margaret, daughter of Roderick Mackenzie, second of Davochmaluag, who became the founder of the families of Applecross and Coul, of whom in their order.

Colin "lived beloved by princes and people, and died, regretted by all, on the 14th of June, 1594, at Redcastle and was buried at Bewlie." He was succeeded by his eldest son,

XII. KENNETH MACKENZIE,

FIRST LORD MACKENZIE OF KINTAIL, who began his rule amidst those domestic quarrels and dissensions in the Lewis, to which we have already introduced the reader, and which may, not inappropriately, be designated the Strife of the Bastards. He is on record as "of Kintail" on the 31st of July, 1594, within seven weeks of his father's death, and again on the 1st of October in the same year. On the 9th of November he made oath in presence of the King and the Privy Council that he should "faithfully, loyally, and truly concur, fortify, and assist his Majesty's Lieutenant of the North with his advice and force at all times and occasions as he may be required by proclamations, missive letters, or otherwise." The country generally was in such a lawless condition in this year that an Act of Parliament was passed by which it was ordained "that in order that there may be a perfect distinction, by names and surnames, betwixt those that are and desire to be esteemed honest and true men, and those that are and not ashamed to be esteemed thieves, sorners, and resetters of them in their wicked and odious crimes and deeds; that therefore a roll and catalogue be made of all persons, and the surnames therein mentioned, suspected of slaughter, etc." It was also enacted "that such evil disposed persons as take upon themselves to sell the goods of thieves, and disobedient persons and clans that dare not come to public markets in the Lowlands themselves, whereby the execution of the Arts made against somers, clans, and thieves, is greatly impeded," should be punished in the manner therein contained. Another Act provided "that the inbringer of every robber and thief, after he is outlawed, and denounced fugitive, shall have two hundred pounds Scots for every robber and thief so inbrought." ["Antiquarian Notes."]