Traditionally, during the Wars of Scottish Independence, the Mackenzies supported Robert the Bruce, but feuded with the Earls of Ross in the latter part of the 14th century.

[10] It is believed that all of these histories ultimately derive from a single manuscript created by William MacQueen, Parson of Assynt in 1576, now lost.

[14] Chief Iain Mac Coinnich is said to have led a force of five hundred Mackenzies at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314 where the English were defeated.

There is no reliable evidence to support the traditional assertion that previous members of his family were buried at Iona.

[21][22] The Clan Munro and their septs the Dingwalls rescued the Ross hostage but won a hollow victory, with a great loss of their own men.

[29] On 13 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 the youthful Mary, Queen of Scots.

[30] At the Battle of Langside in May 1568 the Mackenzies fought on the side of Mary, Queen of Scots, against the forces of her half-brother James Stewart, Earl of Moray.

Andrew Munro of Milntown defended it for 3 years against the Clan Mackenzie, at the expense of many lives on both sides.

[32][33][34] In 1597, the Battle of Logiebride took place between the Mackenzies and MacLeods of Raasay against the Munros and the Bain family of Tulloch Castle.

[35][36] By the beginning of the 17th century the territory of the Mackenzies extended from the Black Isle in the east to the Outer Hebrides in the west.

[39] Montrose followed up his success by destroying many houses that belonged to people who had opposed the royalist cause, including that of Thomas Mackenzie of Pluscarden.

The Mackenzie's position as Earl of Seaforth came to an end in 1716, and it seems to have been arranged that while the Clan Ross held the county seat the Munros would represent the Tain Burghs.

[7] The Mackenzies then went on to lay waste to the lands of the Munros who supported the Government and burn down Foulis Castle.

[54] However, soon after this as the Earl of Cromartie and his forces were travelling south to meet Charles Edward Stuart they were attacked by the Mackay and Sutherland Independent Highland Companies who supported the British Government in what became known as the Battle of Littleferry and the Jacobite Mackenzies were prevented from joining the Jacobite army at the Battle of Culloden.

[55] In one of the Independent Highland Companies under Captain Colin Mackenzie it is recorded at Shiramore in Badenoch in June 1746 and it included many of them from Kintail as well as more than sixty men from the Clan MacRae.

He produced many of the first accurate maps of India, and his research and collections contributed significantly to the field of Asian studies.

[57][61] The current chief of Clan Mackenzie lives at Castle Leod, which is thought to date from the 16th century.

The chief has leased the unoccupied old tower to the Clan Mackenzie Charitable Trust (CMCT) for 99 years.

In 2002 the Highland Buildings Preservation Trust (HBPT) was contacted, to carry out a feasibility study to investigate the potential for the re-use of the upper floor space of the tower, which deemed public funding to be sought to cover the costs of restoration.

[64] Chiefs of Clan Mackenzie are titled as Caberféidh (translation from Scottish Gaelic: "Deer's antlers").

This Gaelic title is derived from the stag's head charge on the former chief, the Earl of Seaforth's coat of arms.

Diana Gabaldon told STV that "When the TV show began scouting locations, I suggested Leod as a possibility.

It's entirely accurate as to period, of course, and has magnificent grounds, with a park of enormous, exotic trees planted by centuries of MacKenzies and their visitors.