Colin Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth facts for kids
Colin Mackenzie, 1st Earl of Seaforth (born 1596 or 1597, died 1633), was a very important Highland clan leader and a Scottish nobleman. He owned huge amounts of land and was very rich.
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Who Was Colin Mackenzie?
Colin Mackenzie was also known as "Ruadh," which means "Red" in Gaelic. He was the oldest son of Kenneth Mackenzie, 1st Lord Mackenzie of Kintail. His family, the Clan Mackenzie, came from Ross-shire in Scotland. They became very powerful in the 1400s. This happened as the Lordship of the Isles, a large Scottish kingdom, began to weaken.
Taking Control of Lewis
Colin was only 14 years old when his father died in 1611. Because he was so young, his uncle, Sir Roderick Mackenzie, became the "Tutor of Kintail" and managed the clan's lands. After Colin's father passed away, some members of the Macleods of Lewis tried to take back control of the Isle of Lewis. Colin's father had recently brought them under his rule.
Between 1611 and 1616, the Mackenzies were given special permission by the king to deal with these challenges. Other clan chiefs were told not to help the Macleods. The fighting continued for some time. Eventually, the Mackenzies fully brought Lewis under their control. The Isle of Lewis remained part of the Mackenzie lands until 1844.
Gaining More Land and Wealth
When Colin's father died, the family's lands were in debt. This was partly because of a long-standing conflict with the Clan MacDonell of Glengarry. Colin's uncle, the Tutor of Kintail, worked hard to fix these problems. He settled the disputes and cleared the debts before Colin became an adult.
This meant Colin inherited a huge fortune and control over many lands. He gained control of Trotternish and the Isle of Skye. He also gained control of Raasay and other islands. A historian named the Earl of Cromartie said that Colin was a "noble person." He was "beloved of all good men," especially by King James.
Colin also gained rights to Moidart and Arisaig. This meant that almost all the Highlands and Islands, from Ardnamurchan to Strathnaver, were either owned by the Mackenzies or under their influence. Many families were connected to them through friendship or loyalty.
However, gaining this wealth was not always easy. Both Colin's uncle and later Colin himself were criticized. They charged their tenants in Kintail and on the West Coast very high fees and rents. There was even a saying in Gaelic: "There are two things worse than the Tutor of Kintail: frost in spring and mist in the dog-days."
Royal Favour
Colin Mackenzie was well-liked by King James. In December 1623, the king made him the Earl of Seaforth. This title was named after Loch Seaforth, a sea loch that separates Lewis from Harris. He also became the Viscount of Fortrose.
On his last visit to London, the king praised Colin. He even said Colin was the best archer in Britain. Although someone tried to make the king doubt Colin's loyalty, the king still trusted him completely.
A Grand Lifestyle
Colin Mackenzie did not try to save money. He spent huge amounts of money to secure his control over Moidart and Arisaig. This involved a legal battle with the Earl of Argyll.
He also made the castle of Chanonry much bigger. He also built Brahan Castle. A minister named Reverend John Macrae wrote about Colin's grand lifestyle. He said Colin "lived most of his time at Chanonry in great state." He imported wines from other countries every year. He kept a large supply of drinks for his trips around the West Coast and Lewis. He would sail around his estates every year or two. The amount of wine he used on these trips was "scarcely credible."
Mr. Farquhar MacRa, who was a castle guard, said that the Earl never came to his house with fewer than 300 men. Sometimes he even brought 500 men with him.
Faith and Giving Back
Colin Mackenzie and his wife were known for being very religious. They went every year to take part in a special church service. They usually had more than one chaplain living in their home.
Colin provided churches in Lewis with valuable books from London. He did this even though he wasn't required to. He also gave books to the five churches he supported in Kintail, Loch Alsh, Lochcarron, Lochbroom, and Gairloch. These books were from the newest and best writers. He also started building a church in Strathconan and Strathbran.
He set aside 4000 merks (an old Scottish coin) for the Grammar School of Chanonry. He had many other good deeds planned, but he died before he could do them.
Family Life
Colin Mackenzie married Margaret Seton. She was the daughter of Alexander Seton, 1st Earl of Dunfermline, who was the Lord Chancellor of Scotland. Their only son, Alexander, sadly died from smallpox in 1629.
Margaret was a close friend of her neighbor, Anne Gordon, Countess of Moray. Margaret died in Edinburgh in 1631. After her death, Colin became ill and stayed in his room for some time. He died at Chanonry on April 15, 1633. His brother, George, took over his title and lands.
Colin also had two daughters who survived him. Anne (died 1705) married Alexander Lindsay, who later became the first Earl of Balcarres. She later married Archibald Campbell, 9th Earl of Argyll. Jean married John Sinclair, Master of Berriedale. She later married Alexander Sutherland, first Lord Duffus.
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Line of Chiefs
| Preceded by Kenneth Mackenzie |
Chief of Clan Mackenzie 1611–1633 |
Succeeded by George Mackenzie |
| Peerage of Scotland | ||
|---|---|---|
| New creation | Earl of Seaforth 1623–1633 |
Succeeded by George Mackenzie |
| Preceded by Kenneth Mackenzie |
Lord Mackenzie of Kintail 1611–1633 |
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