Colin Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth

Colin Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth (1596/97–1633), was a Highland clan chief and Scottish nobleman, possessed of vast estates and wealth.

By a special commission from the king dated 14 September 1614, the Mackenzies were exempted by reason of their involvement in Lewis from engaging in the resolution of a dispute between two factions of the Clan Cameron (acting as proxies for the Marquis of Huntly and the Earl of Argyll).

At the death of Lord Mackenzie, his estates were very heavily burdened in consequence of the feud with Clan MacDonell of Glengarry and various family difficulties and debts.

The Tutor of Kintail completed the compromise of the disputes with Glengarry that had been commenced by Lord Mackenzie and otherwise devoted himself to his nephew's affairs to such effect that the estates were freed before Colin came of age, leaving him "master of an opulent fortune and of great [feudal] superiorities".

He acquired and settled the right of the superiority of Moidart and Arisaig, the Captain of Clandonald's lands, which his father, Lord Kenneth, formerly claimed right to but lived not to accomplish it.

Mackenzie's favour with King James, as referred to by the Earl of Cromartie, is well demonstrated by his elevation in December 1623 to the Earldom of Seaforth (the name of the sea loch dividing Lewis from Harris) and Viscountcy of Fortrose.

Mackenzie did not aim at economy and spent vast sums in securing his superiority over Moidart and Arisaig in a legal dispute with the Earl of Argyll.