Chief of Clan MacKenzie

Rt. Hon. John Ruaridh MacKenzie of Kintail, Earl of Cromartie, Baron Macleod of Castle Leod, Baron Castlehaven of Castlehaven.

Chief of Clan Mackenzie since 1989. "Cabarfeidh".

Son of Roderick and Olga, born in 1948. He spent some of his early life in London but school holidays were spent at Castle Leod with his father.

As well as his interest in running the 2000 acre Estate, he is a geologist. John gives his support to the Highlands and Islands Alliance and is behind the idea to create a Highlands and Islands University.

A climber since the age of thirteen, he is a member of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland and a water colour painter. He supports the 'Right to Roam' movement currently under review in Scotland and is at present working to refurbish the old Castle, on the outskirts of Strathpeffer where the house additions to the original tower building were done in the 1700s.

Son Colin was born September 7th. 1987 and Alastair born December 6th. 1989.

His lineage and Blazon of Arms is shown on the UK Clan Mackenzie website.

Cabarfeidh

"Cabarfeidh" (Gaelic: Stag's Antlers) is the traditional title for the Chief of Clan Mackenzie.

According to legend, in 1263 Colin MacCoinneach (also known as Colin Fitzgerald) saved King Alexander III from a charging stag whilst hunting. Some accounts have him killing it with an arrow, others with a spear. For this, and for victory at Largs against the Danes, he was awarded the lands of Kintail, the free Barony of Kintail, and the arms of a golden stags head.

The stag's head has been a badge of the Mackenzies ever since, along with the motto "Cuidich 'N Righ" (Gaelic: Help/Save the King).

A painting in the National Gallery of Scotland in Edinburgh depicts this event. 'The Fury of the Stag' by Benjamin West (1738 - 1820) is also famous for being the largest painting in the museum's collection, at over 3.5 x 5 m. In March 2010 it was the centrepiece of a fundraising event by Dalmore Whisky to help with the restoration of Castle Leod. More details here.

This motto and badge are also used by the Seaforth Highlanders regiment at Fort George. There is much of interest to Mackenzies at Fort George, and their museum is well worth a visit.

Castles

Besides Castle Leod, the current seat of the Chief of the Clan Mackenzie, there are numerous other castles associated with the Mackenzies throughout history. See the UK Clan Mackenzie castles page.

Castle Leod

Castle Leod has been occupied by the family of the Mackenzie Clan chief for over 500 years. Its grounds also boast the largest tree in the entire UK, and a mighty Spanish Chestnut planted in 1550 — the earliest known planting date of any tree in the UK!

Even though used as a private home, there are open days scheduled throughout Summer and Autumn, and private visits can be arranged. Information on visiting Castle Leod is on the UK Clan Mackenzie website.

Eilean Donan

This very famous castle was once the seat of the Clan Mackenzie in antiquity. Now it serves mainly as a tourist attraction and sometimes as a movie setting.

It was partially destroyed during the Jacobite uprising of 1719 — bombarded with ship cannons for three days and then blown up with 343 barrels of gunpowder. It then sat in ruins for nearly two centuries.

The island was bought by Lieutenant Colonel John MacRae-Gilstrap in 1911, who spent 20 years rebuilding the castle based on plans surviving from earlier times. The castle finally re-opened in 1932.

There is now a visitor centre and shop, and the castle is visited by thousands of people each year.

http://www.eileandonancastle.com/