George was alternately a royalist and a covenanter between 1636 and 1646, and was afterwards in Holland with Charles II, who made him Secretary of State for Scotland.

His grandson, Kenneth, the 4th earl, followed James VII to France and was with the dethroned king in Ireland.

Elevated by James in 1690, to Marquess of Seaforth and Viscount Fortrose (in the Jacobite peerage), he was sent to head the 1689 rising in Scotland.

[3] His successor was his son William, who rallied under the Jacobite standard at Braemar, during the rising of 1715, and then, having raised 3000 men, was present at the battle of Sheriffmuir and was appointed lieutenant-general of the northern counties.

His son Kenneth (c. 1718–1761), who but for the attainder would have been the 6th earl, helped the British government during the rising of 1745, and was a member of parliament for some years.