Alexander Mackenzie of Kintail - Family, Death and Posterity

Family, Death and Posterity

Alexander was the first of the family who lived on the island in Loch Kinellan, near Strathpeffer, while at the same time he had Brahan as a mains or farm, both of which his successors for a time held from the King at a yearly rent, until they were later feued.

Alexander’s marriages have been the subject of genealogical controversy but the weight of traditional clan history is to the effect that he married, first, Anna, daughter of John Macdougall of Dunollie, and, secondly, Margaret, daughter of Macdonald of Morar (a cadet of Macdonald of Clanranald). By his first wife, he had Kenneth, his heir and successor, and Duncan, progenitor of the Mackenzies of Hilton. By his second wife, he had Hector Roy (or “Eachainn Ruadh”), from whom are descended the Mackenzies of Gairloch, and a daughter who married Allan Macleod, Hector Roy’s predecessor in Gairloch.

He is also said to have had a natural son (or, in some sources, a brother), Dugal, who became a priest and was Superior of Beauly Priory, which he repaired about 1478, and in which he is buried.

Alexander died in or before 1488 at Kinellan, having attained a great old age. His eldest son was served heir in the lands of Kintail at Dingwall on 2 September 1488.