![]() A number of famous regiments were borne of Clan Mackenzie, including the Highland Light Infantry, the Seaforth Highlanders and the Ross-shire Buffs. In the 18th century, the Jacobite risings saw Clan Mackenzie divided, with the chief Kenneth Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose, fight against the rebels, and a large portion of the clan backing George Mackenzie, the 3rd Earl of Cromartie, who was himself a Jacobite. With the backing of the government and monarchy, Chief Colin MacKenzie invaded the Isle of Lewis with a 700-strong army and a ruthless battle with the MacLeods ensued. By the start of the 17th century, Clan Mackenzie territory had expanded significantly. They also clashed with Clan Munro over territory.Ĭlan Mackenzie pledged their allegiance to Mary, Queen of Scots and fought against her half-brother James Stewart at the Battle of Langside in 1568. Throughout the 16th century, Clan Mackenzie fought valiantly against the English, most notably at the 1513 Battle of Flodden where they suffered heavy losses. Photo by Anna and Goetz Gerhardt / CC BY-SA 2.0 Knockfarrel Hill, where the Battle of Drumchatt took place. ![]() ![]() Then in 1497 Clan MacDonald invaded Ross-shire, only to be defeated and driven away by Clan Mackenzie in the Battle of Drumchatt. The 1491 Battle of Blar Na Pairce saw a bloody battle between the Mackenzies and the MacDonalds, which was followed by the Raid on Ross where the Clan Mackenzie fought with several clans including the Clan MacDonald of Lochalsh, Clan MacDonald of Clanranald, and Clan Cameron. Later in the 15th century, the Mackenzies clashed with the neighbouring MacDonalds on a number of occasions. In 1314, five hundred Mackenzies fought at the famous Battle of Bannockburn where the English were defeated. The Mackenzies certainly weren’t shy of a little conflict. Photo by Tomasz Steifer / CC BY-SA 2.5 Clan Mackenzie Feuds The clan’s other motto ‘help the king’ gives a firm nod to their dedication to the monarchy. The clan Mackenzie crest features a mountain in flames, and the motto ‘I shine not burn’. The Mackenzie clan crest was a symbol of allegiance, used by clan members to show allegiance to their clan chief. Photo by Celtus / CC BY 2.5 Clan Mackenzie Crest In total there are four tartans associated with the Mackenzie name: the Mackenzie tartan (depicted in the image), the modern Mackenzie dress, the Mackenzie hunting, and the Mackenzie Millenium. Clan Mackenzie Tartanįeaturing dashing blues and greens, with flashes of red or purple and white, the Mackenzie Tartan is the regimental tartan of the Seaforth Highlanders raised by the Earl of Seaforth in 1778. Essentially, the government in Edinburgh used Clan Mackenzie to keep the rowdy Highlanders up north in line.Ī Mackenzie clansmen. At the height of their power, Clan Mackenzie were one of the most influential clans in the whole of Scotland.Īs royal agents to generations of Scottish kings, many viewed Clan Mackenzie as the monarchy’s strong men in the north. Clan Mackenzie’s territory stretched from their origins in Kintail, to eventually dominate the Ross-shire landscape and the Isle of Lewis. He rose to power as a supporter of the Crown and against the formidable Clan MacDonald. The earliest recorded chief of Clan Mackenzie is Alexander Mackenzie, the 6th Baron of Kintail who lived in the 15th century. The name Mackenzie is believed to have derived from the Gaelic name MacCoinneach (son of Kenneth) which translates as ‘son of the fair bright one’. Recently studies have concluded Clan Mackenzie was started by 11th century Celtic chief, Gilleoin na h’Airde, who was a direct descendent from the ancient High Kings of Ireland, and also that Clan Mackenzie shares its ancestry with Clan Matheson and Clan Anrias. Their allegiance to royalty saw them rewarded with great swathes of territory across Ross-shire, and their descendants would eventually become British aristocrats. Scotland Clan Map: Clan Mackenzie Territories and Castlesįriends of the monarchy, Clan Mackenzie was a force to be reckoned with in the north of Scotland.The Mackenzie Name: Origin and Survival.
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