History of the Mackenzies Part 8

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 va.s.sals and lead an expedition against the Clan Ra.n.a.ld of Moidart, who, at that time, held lands from Mackenzie on the West Coast; but Kenneth, in these circ.u.mstances, 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 const.i.tution 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 princ.i.p.al 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 lords.h.i.+p 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 lords.h.i.+p 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 Sutherlands.h.i.+re; 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 ill.u.s.tration 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 st.u.r.die l.u.s.ty 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 l.u.s.tie 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 n.o.blie 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 t.i.tle 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 va.s.sals, 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 Gla.s.sich, son and successor to Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch, in Ellandonnan Castle. Dr George Mackenzie says that Kenneth apprehended John Gla.s.sich 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 b.u.t.tocks, 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 Gla.s.sich 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 Gla.s.sich 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 n.o.bilitate (enn.o.bled); but Colin always declined it, aiming rather to have his familie remarkable for power, as it were, above their qualitie than for t.i.tles 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 princ.i.p.al 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 a.s.sithment of slaughters committed at Lochcarron in connection with the fis.h.i.+ngs 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 t.i.tles 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 t.i.tles 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 va.s.sals, 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 lords.h.i.+p 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 pa.s.s 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 pa.s.s 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 doc.u.ment, 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 G.o.d 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 G.o.d 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 endors.e.m.e.nt 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 pet.i.tioned 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 harra.s.sed 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 pa.s.sages," 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 Inchloch.e.l.l, 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 a.s.sa.s.sins, 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 Ra.n.a.ld, 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.