Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 3

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CELTIC MAGAZIITE.
No. XXXV. SEPTEMBEK 1878. Vol. III.
HISTORY OF THE CLAX :\[ACKE:N"ZIE,
WITH GENEALOGIES OF THE PRINC1P.AL FAMILIES.
By the Editor.
[Continued.]
XIII. COLIX "EUADH," second Lord Mackenzie of Kintail,
afteiwards created fir.st Earl of Seaforth, was a minor only fourteen years of
age when he succeeded his father. The estates were left heavily burdened
in consequence of tlie long-continued wars Avith Glengarry and other
demands upon Lord Kenneth, who acted prudently in such circumstances
to appoint his brother, Sir Eoderick Mackenzie of Coigeach, in whose
judgment he placed the utmost confidence, tutor to his son and
successor, Lord Colin. Sir Eoderick, however, knowing the state of
affairs — financial difficulties staring him in the face — while the family
were at the time much involved Avith the conquest of the Lews and other
broils on the mainland, hesitated to accept the great respon.sibilities of
the position, but, to use the words of the Laird of Applecross, " all
others refusing to take the charge he set resolutely to the Avork. The
first thing he did was to assault the rebels in the Lews, which he did so
suddeidy, after his brother's death, and so unexpectedly to them, that
what the Fife adventiu-ers had spent many years, and much treasure in
without success, he, in a few months, accomplished ; for having by his
youngest brother Alexander, chased XeiU, the chief commander of all the
rest, from the Isle, pursued him to Glasgow, where, appieheuding him,
he dehvered him to the Council, who executed him immediately. He
returned to the LeAvs, banished those Avhose deportment he most doubted,
and settled the rest as peaceable tenants to his nephew; AA'hich success he
had, Avith the more facility, because he had the only title of succession to
it by his Avife, and they looked on him as theu- just master. From thence
he inA^aded Glengarry, Avho Avas again re-collecting his forces ; but at his
coming they dissipate and fled. He pursued Glengarry to Blairy in
Moray, Avhere he took him ; but willing to have his nepheAv's estate
settled Avith conventional right rather than legal, he took Ioav- countrymen
as sureties for Glengarry's peaceable deportment, and then contracted Avith
him for the reversion of the former Avadsets, AAdiich Colin of Kintail had
acquired of liim, and for a ratification and ncAV disposition of all his lands,
formerly sold to Colin, and paid him thirty thousand merks in money for
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