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ing field between Macrae of Clunes and a bastard son of Lovat； when a son of Macrae intervened to protect his father； and killed Fraser's son in the scuffle。 The victor 〃immediately ran oft； and calling himself John Carrach； that he might be less known； settled on the West Coast； and of him are descended the branch of the Macraes called Clann Ian Charraich。 It was some time after this that his brethren and other relatives began seriously to consider that Lovat's own kindred and friends became too numerous； and that the country could not accommodate them all； which was a motive for their removing to other places according as they had encouragement。 One of the brothers went to Brae Ross and lived at Brahan； where there is a piece of land called Knock Vic Ra； and the spring well which affords water to the Castle is called Tober Vic Ra。
His succession spread westward to Strathgarve； Strathbraan； and Strathconan； where several of them live at this time。 John Macrae； who was a merchant in Inverness； and some of his brethren； were of them； and some others in Ardmeanach。 Other two of MacRa's sons； elder than the above； went off from Clunes several ways； one is said to have gone to Argyleshire and another to Kintail。 In the meantime their father remained at Clunes all his days； and bad four Lords Fraser of Lovat fostered in his house。 He that went to Argyle； according to our tradition； married the heiress of Craignish； and on that account took the surname of Campbell。 The other brother who went to Kintail； earnestly invited and encouraged by Mackenzie； who then had no kindred of his own blood； the first six Barons； or Lords of Kintail； having but one lawful son to succeed the father； hoping that the MacRas； by reason of their relation； as being originally descended from the same race of people in Ireland would prove more faithful than others； wherein he was not disappointed； for the MacRas of Kintail served him and his successors very faithfully in every quarrel they had with neighbouring clans； and by their industry； blood； and courage； have been instrumental in raising that family。〃 The writer adds that he does not know Macrae's christian name； but that he married 〃a daughter or grand…daughter of MacBeolan； who possessed a large part of Kintail before Mackenzie's predecessors got a right of it from Alexander III。〃 This marriage； and their common ancestry from a native Celtic source； and not from 〃the same race of people in Ireland〃 seems a much more probable explanation of the early and continued friendship which existed between the two families than that suggested by the rev。 author of 〃The Genealogy of the Macraes；〃 above quoted。
But the curious circumstance to which he directs attention regarding the first five Mackenzie chiefs is quite true。 It is borne out by every genealogy of the House of Kintail which we have ever seen。 There is not a trace of any legitimate male descendant from the first of the name down to Alexander； the sixth baron； except the immediately succeeding chief； so that their vassals and followers in the field and elsewhere must； for nearly two hundred years； have been men of different septs and tribes and names； except the progeny of their own illegitimate sons； such as 〃Sliochd Mhurcbaidh Riabhaich〃 and others of similar base origin。 Murdoch married Finguala or Florence； daughter of Malcolm Macleod； III。 of Harris and Dunvegan； by his wife； Martha； daughter of Donald Stewart； Earl of Mar； nephew of King Robert the Bruce。 By this marriage the Royal blood of the Bruce was introduced for the first time into the family of Kintail； as also that of the ancient Kings of Man。
Tormod Macleod； II。 of Harris； who was grandson of Olave the Black； last Norwegian King of Man； and who； as we have seen； had married Christina； daughter of Ferquhard O'Beolan； Earl of Ross； married Finguala Mac Crotan； the daughter of an ancient and powerful Irish chief。 By this lady Malcolm Macleod； III。 of Harris and Dunvegan； had issue； among others； Finguala； who now became the wife of Murdoch Mackenzie and mother of Alexander Ionraic； who carried on the succession of the ancient line of Kintail。
Murdoch died in 1416 when he was succeeded by his only son；
VI。 ALEXANDER MACKENZIE；
Alastair Ionraic； or Alexander the Upright； so called 〃for his righteousness。〃 He was among the Western barons summoned in 1427； to meet King James I。 at Inverness； who； on his return from a long captivity in England； in 1424； determined to put down the rebellion and oppression which was then and for some time previously so rampant in the Highlands。
To judge by the poceedings of a Parliament held at Perth on the 30th September 1426； James exhibited a foresight and appreciation of the conduct of the lairds in those days； and passed laws which might with good effect； and with equal propriety； be applied to the state of affairs in our own time。 In that Parliament an Act was passed which； among other things； ordained that； north of the Grampians； the fruit of those lands should be expended in the country where those lands lie。 The Act is as follows：〃It is ordanit be the King ande the Parliament that everilk lorde hafande landis bezonde the mownthe （the Grampians） in the quhilk landis in auld tymes there was castellis； fortalyces and manerplaicis； big； reparell and reforme their castellis and maneris； and duell in thame； be thameself； or be ane of thare frendis for the gracious gournall of thar landis； be gude polising and to expende ye fruyt of thar landis in the countree where thar landis lyis。〃 ＇Invernessiana； p。102。＇
James was determined to bring the Highlanders to submission； and Fordun relates a characteristic anecdote in which the King pointedly declared his resolution。 When the excesses in the Highlands were first reported to him by one of his nobles； on entering Scotland； he thus expressed himself ：〃 Let God but grant me life； and there shall not be a spot in my dominions where the key shall riot keep the castle； and the furze bush the cow； though I myself should lead the life of a dog to accomplish it〃； and it was in this frame of mind that he visited Inverness in 1427； determined to establish good government and order in the North； then in such a state of insubordination that neither life nor property was secure。 The principal chiefs； on his order or invitation met him； from what motives it is impossible to determinewhether hoping for a reconciliation by prompt compliance with the Royal will； or from a dread； in case of refusal； to suffer the fate of the Southern barons who had already fallen victims to his severity。 The order was in any case obeyed； and all the leading chiefs repaired to meet him at the Castle of Inverness。
As they entered the ball； however； where the Parliament was at the time sitting； they were； one by one； by order of the King； arrested； ironed； and imprisoned in different apartments； and debarred from having any communications with each other； or with their followers。
Fordun says that James displayed marks of great joy as these turbulent and haughty spirits； caught in the toils which he had prepared for the