Chapter VIII: CAPTAIN RODERICK MACKENZIE, late of Kincraig, who, on

the 5th of February, 1867, married Georgina Adelaide, daughter of Roderick Mackenzie, IV. of Flowerburn, without issue.

THE MACKENZIES OF CROMARTY.

THIS family, next to the House of Kintail and Seaforth, played the most important part in the history of the Highlands. They are descended from Sir Roderick Mackenzie of Coigeach, Tutor of Kintail, who in his day took such a conspicuous part in the affairs of the Clan. His career is noticed at considerable length in the history of the Seaforth family, and need not here be enlarged upon. He was the second son of Colin Cam Mackenzie, XI. of Kintail, by Barbara, daughter of John Grant, XII. of Grant. He was a brave and resolute man. On a certain occasion he seized MacNeil of Barra by stratagem, and carried that chief, of whom Queen Elizabeth had been complaining, to the Court of King James at Holyrood. When brought into His Majesty's presence MacNeil, who, much to the surprise of all, was a tall, good-looking man of reverend aspect, with a long grey beard, proved a match for the King. When asked by His Majesty what could induce him to commit so many piracies and robberies on the Queen of England's subjects, he replied that he thought he was doing the King good service by annoying "a woman who had murdered his mother." James exclaimed, "The devil take the carle! Rorie, take him with you again, and dispose of him and his fortune as you please." On another occasion, when Sir Roderick was passing through Athole on his way to Edinburgh, in the interest of his ward, he was stopped and found fault with by the men of that district for passing through their country without the permission of their lord. The Tutor dismounted and sought out a stone, on which he began to sharpen his claymore, whereupon the Athole men, from a safe distance, asked him what he was doing? "I am going to make a road," was the ready answer. "You shall make no road here." "Oh, I don't seek to do so; but I shall make it between your lord's head and his shoulders if I am hindered from pursuing my lawful business." On hearing this retort the Athole men retired, and on reaching their master told him what had occurred. "It was either the devil or the Tutor of Kintail," his Lordship replied, "let him have a free path for ever." That he was severe in his position as Tutor is clear from the following proverb; still current in Ross-shire: "There are but two things worse than the Tutor of Kintail - frost in spring and mist in the dog days." He married Margaret, daughter and co-heiress of Torquil Macleod, "Torquil Cononach" of the Lewis, Coigeach, and Assynt, with whom Roderick obtained her father's mainland possessions, previously, however, in 1605, granted by Torquil to Kenneth Mackenzie, X. of Kintail, Sir Roderick's eldest brother. He purchased Milton and Tarbat Ness in Easter Ross from the Munroes. He had issue by his wife -

1. John, his heir and successor, afterwards Sir John Mackenzie of Tarbat.

2. Kenneth, I. of Scatwell, of whose family presently.

3. Colin, I of Tarvie, who married Isobel, daughter of Alexander Mackenzie, V. of Gairloch, and widow of John Mackenzie of Lochslinn, with issue.

4. Alexander, I. of Ballone, of whom after Scatwell.

5. James. 6. Charles. Both died unmarried.

7. Margaret, who married Sir James Macdonald, IX. of Sleat, with issue - his heir and successor, and others.

He had also a natural son, the Rev. John Mackenzie, Archdean of Ross, who, by his wife, Christian, daughter of John Wemyss of Lathocker, had issue - the Rev. Roderick Mackenzie, first of Avoch, in 1671 Sub-Chaunter of Ross, and several other children. He died in 1666.

In 1609 Sir Roderick was knighted for the part he took, along with his brother Kenneth, first Lord Mackenzie of Kintail, in pacifying the Lewis and civilising its inhabitants.

He died in 1628, and was succeeded by his eldest son,

SIR JOHN MACKENZIE of Tarbat, created a Baronet of Nova Scotia on the 21st of May, 1628. He married Margaret, daughter of Sir George Erskine of Innerteil, a Lord of Session, with issue -

1. George, his heir and successor.

2. John, who died young.

3. Sir Roderick, who has a sasine as third son in June, 1654. He was M.P. in 1700 for Cromarty, and in 1703 for the Burgh of Fortrose. He was subsequently raised to the Bench as Lord Prestonhall, and married, first, Margaret, daughter of Dr Burnet, Archbishop of St. Andrews, with issue - Alexander Mackenzie of Fraserdale, who, in 1702, married Amelia, eldest daughter of Hugh, Xth Lord Lovat, with issue--several sons and daughters. Alexander's representation was proved extinct in 1826. Lord Prestonhall married, secondly, Margaret, daughter of Haliburton of Pitcur, widow of Sir George Mackenzie of Rosehaugh, without issue.

4. Alexander, I. of Ardloch, whose representatives became heirs male to the Cromarty titles.

5. Kenneth, who married Isobell Auckinleck, with issue--Kenneth, who died without issue.

6. James, M.D., who died unmarried.

7. Margaret, who married, first, Roderick Macleod, XV. of Macleod, without surviving issue; and secondly, Sir James Campbell of Lawers, Perthshire.

8. Ann, who married Hugh, IXth Lord Lovat, with issue.

9. Isabel, who married Kenneth, third Earl of Seaforth, with issue - his heir and successor, and others.

10. Barbara, who married Alexander Mackenzie, VII. of Gairloch, with issue.

11. Catherine, who married Sir Colin Campbell of Aberuchil, with issue.

Sir John died in 1654, when he was succeeded by his eldest son,