Kenneth Mackenzie (died c. 1498–1499), or "Coinneach Oig", traditionally reckoned 8th of

Kintail Kintail ( gd, Cinn Tàile) is an area of mountains in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland, located in the Highland Council area. It consists of the mountains to the north of Glen Shiel and the A87 road between the heads of Loch Duich and Loch Clu ...

, was a

Highland Highlands or uplands are areas of high elevation such as a mountainous region, elevated mountainous plateau or high hills. Generally speaking, upland (or uplands) refers to ranges of hills, typically from up to while highland (or highlands) is ...

chief, being head of the

Clan Mackenzie Clan Mackenzie ( gd, Clann Choinnich ) is a Scottish clan, traditionally associated with Kintail and lands in Ross-shire in the Scottish Highlands. Traditional genealogies trace the ancestors of the Mackenzie chiefs to the 12th century. However ...

Origins

Kenneth was the eldest son of

Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th of Kintail Kenneth Mackenzie (died 7 February 1492), traditionally reckoned 7th of Kintail and nicknamed Coinneach a'bhlair (or “Kenneth of the Battle”), was a Highland chief, being head of the Clan Mackenzie. Origins Kenneth was the eldest son of Alex ...

(d.1492) and (probably) Finvola, daughter of Gilleasbaig (or "Celestine") Macdonald of Lochalsh. The Mackenzies' origins lay in the

Northwest Highlands The Northwest Highlands are located in the northern third of Scotland that is separated from the Grampian Mountains by the Great Glen (Glen More). The region comprises Wester Ross, Assynt, Sutherland and part of Caithness. The Caledonian Canal, ...

, but the centre of their power had by the end of the 15th century shifted to

Easter Ross Easter Ross ( gd, Ros an Ear) is a loosely defined area in the east of Ross, Highland, Scotland. The name is used in the constituency name Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, which is the name of both a British House of Commons constituenc ...

Career

Kenneth appears never to have been served heir to his father and the absence of contemporary references to him has resulted in doubt over his very existence. He is said, together with

Ferquhard Mackintosh, 12th of Mackintosh Ferquhard Mackintosh, 12th of Mackintosh (died 1514) was the chief of the Clan Mackintosh, a Scottish clan of the Scottish Highlands. He was also chief of the confederation of clans known as the Clan Chattan. Early life Ferquhard Mackintosh, 12th ...

, to have been made a hostage in

Edinburgh Edinburgh ( ; gd, Dùn Èideann ) is the capital city of Scotland and one of its 32 Council areas of Scotland, council areas. Historically part of the county of Midlothian (interchangeably Edinburghshire before 1921), it is located in Lothian ...

James IV James IV (17 March 1473 – 9 September 1513) was King of Scotland from 11 June 1488 until his death at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. He inherited the throne at the age of fifteen on the death of his father, James III, at the Battle of Sauchi ...

, but to have escaped from the custody of the Crown. Not long afterwards, while at

Torwood Torwood ( gd, Coille Tor) is a small village located north-northwest of Larbert, north-west of Falkirk and south-southeast of Stirling. Torwood lies within the Falkirk Council area of Scotland. The population recorded in the 2011 UK Census ...

Stirlingshire Stirlingshire or the County of Stirling, gd, Siorrachd Sruighlea) is a Counties of Scotland, historic county and registration countyRegisters of Scotland. Publications, leaflets, Land Register Counties. of Scotland. Its county town is Stirli ...

with Mackintosh, he was attacked and killed by the

Laird of Buchanan Buchanan may refer to: People * Buchanan (surname) Places Africa * Buchanan, Liberia, a large coastal town Antarctica * Buchanan Point, Laurie Island Australia * Buchanan, New South Wales * Buchanan, Northern Territory, a locality * Buch ...

. Mackintosh escaped death, but was imprisoned for many years, and Buchanan (an outlaw) was thereby returned to royal favour. Kenneth left no legitimate issue and was succeeded by his half-brother,

John Mackenzie, 9th of Kintail John Mackenzie (c. 1480-c. 1561), or "John of Killin", traditionally reckoned 9th of Kintail, was a Highland chief and head of the Clan Mackenzie. Origins and education John was the son of Kenneth Mackenzie, 7th of Kintail (d. 1492) by his seco ...

, who faced a fierce challenge for his inheritance from their uncle,

Hector Roy Mackenzie Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch (died 1528) was a Scottish clan chieftain of the Clan Mackenzie, who acquired vast estates in and around Gairloch, Wester Ross as a result of his services to the Scottish crown and challenged his nephew for the ch ...

Gairloch Gairloch ( ; gd, Geàrrloch , meaning "Short Loch") is a village, civil parish and community on the shores of Loch Gairloch in Wester Ross, in the North-West Highlands of Scotland. A tourist destination in the summer months, Gairloch has a go ...

References

{{s-end Clan Mackenzie Chiefs 1490s deaths Year of birth uncertain