Clan Mackenzie of Scotland

There was a time when Clan Mackenzie held sway over all the land from Ardnamurchan to Strathnaver. It is said that they originated in mid-Ross, claiming descent from that ancient earldom, but in the 12th century they were removed to the lands of Kintail in Wester Ross by William the Lion. There, the clan's power and influence grew and they were joined by the MacRaes, who became the Mackenzie chief's bodyguard, and the MacLennans, who became their hereditary standard bearers.

The Norse invasion of Scotland was checked at the Battle of Largs in 1263 and for the Mackenzies part in the defence of the realm, Colin of Kintail was granted a royal charter to his lands and the clan was given the right to form part of the royal bodyguard. They held this
honour until the Battle of Flodden in 1513 when their chief was captured by the English.

Colin, 11th of Kintail, fought for Mary Queen of Scots at Langside. His eldest son, Kenneth, 12th Chief, received a charter for the lands of Lochalsh and Lochcarron in 1607 and in 1609 he was created lord of Kintail. From him descend the Mackenzies of Pluscarden and Lochslinn. His eldest son was created first earl of Seaforth in 1623 and the second earl served as Secretary of State for Scotland.

Another of Colin's sons was Sir Rorie Mackenzie, born 1574, first lord of Castle Leod, Coigach and Tarbat, who became known as the Tutor of Kintail when he took over the upbringing of his nephew, heir to the chieftainship. It was the Tutor's grandson, Sir George Mackenzie, who was created first earl of Cromartie by Queen Anne. It is through the Tutor that in 1980 the fourth earl of Cromartie, who lives in Castle Leod, Strathpeffer, was able to substantiate his claim to the Mackenzie chiefship, which had been dormant for 164 years after the end of the Seaforth line.

Today, the old Mackenzie lands in Kintail have been dispersed. Their castles once included the idyllic 13th-century Eilean Donan, held for them by the Macraes, who still retain it as a war memorial and Clan Macrae headquarters. But it is the two earldoms that have dominated the Mackenzie clan, although the chiefly Seaforth line died out in the 19th century as prophesied by that curious 17th-century character, Kenneth Mackenzie, the Brahan Seer, prior to his being boiled in a barrel of tar on Chanonry Point on the orders of Isabella, countess of Seaforth.

William, fifth earl of Seaforth, supported the Old Pretender in the 1715 uprising. After the Jacobite defeat at Sheriffmuir he fled to France, attainted with his estates forfeit. His grandson, however, was later able to re-purchase the forfeited estates and in 1771 was restored as sixth earl of Seaforth.

After the 45 the third earl of Cromartie was imprisoned and condemned to death, but later reprieved although his lands were confiscated during his lifetime. His son, however, having fled to Sweden, became a lieutenant-general in the Swedish Army, and was allowed to return to Scotland in 1777 to raise the 71st Highlanders, whom he took to India. This regiment became the Highland Light Infantry and was raised before the Seaforth Highlanders of 1778. The Cromartie earldom was recreated in 1861 for his direct descendant, Anne, wife of the third duke of Sutherland, passing to their second son.

It is interesting to note that the Cromartie Mackenzies did not take part in the Highland Clearance policies of the 19th century and, where possible, offered shelter to those evicted from the Seaforth estates. The present Earl of Cromartie has rebuilt the stable block at Castle Leod as a Mackenzie Association and Clan Centre.