Mackenzie of Gairloch

[1] Hector feuded with the Clan Munro which resulted in the alleged Battle of Drumchatt (1501) in which the Mackenzie chronicles have claimed victory.

[1] Hector Roy married a daughter of the Laird of Grant - probably Sir Duncan, who flourished from 1434 to 1485 - but she died before the marriage was solemnised.

Hector Roy and Anne had four sons and three daughters:[1] John "Glassich" Mackenzie, 2nd of Gairloch had his lands forfeited in 1547 for refusing to join the Royal Standard where the Scots had been defeated by the English at the Battle of Pinkie.

The MacLeods continued to dispute ownership of Gairloch and it is possible that John "Glassich" Mackenzie had been killed in a skirmish with them.

In 1627, he had obtained from his son-in-law, John Mackenzie of Applecross (later of Loch Slin Castle) part of Dìobaig which had been in dispute.

In 1637, Alexander Mackenzie tried to acquire part of Loggie Wester from Duncan Bayne but this was not completed until the time of his successor in 1640.

[1] Kenneth Mackenzie, 6th of Gairloch was a strong loyalist during the wars of James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose and the Covenanters.

He commanded a body of Highlanders under Thomas Mackenzie of Pluscarden at Balveny but when the Royalist army was surprised and disarmed there he was on a visit to Castle Grant and so escaped capture.

[1] Kenneth Mackenzie married firstly, in 1635, Katherine, daughter of Sir Donald MacDonald, IX of Sleat but without issue.

He married secondly, Ann, daughter of Sir John Grant of Grant and had the following children:[1] Kenneth Mackenzie married thirdly, Janet, daughter of John Cuthbert of Castlehill and had the following children:[1] Kenneth Mackenzie died in 1669 and was buried in Beauly Priory.

[1] Sir Kenneth Mackenzie, 8th of Gairloch was created a Baronet of Nova Scotia by Anne, Queen of Great Britain on 2 February 1703.

In 1708, he and his brothers and sisters were taken to Colin Mackenzie of Findon's house who was the factor of their estate and given a basic education by Simon Urquhart.

In 1712, they were all at school in Chanonry under Urquhart and where Sir Alexander Mackenzie remained for six years before going to Edinburgh at the age of 18 to complete his education.

[1] Sir Hector Mackenzie, 11th of Gairloch and 4th Baronet was known in Scottish Gaelic as An Tighearna Storach which means the Buck-toothed Laird.

[1] In 1789, he obtained authority from the Court to sell lands which his father had originally intended for him to use pay off the debts on the estate.

This left him in debt with Grant of Redcastle and he arranged for his brother, Dr John Mackenzie of Eileanach, to manage his affairs.

[1] He married firstly, in the 31st year of his age, in 1829, Cythe Caroline, eldest daughter of Smith-Wright of Rempstone Hall, Nottinghamshire.