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minately。 But in point of fact all these designations describe one and the same person。
Alexander married first； Anna； daughter of John Macdougall of Dunolly； with issue
1。 Kenneth； his heir and successor。
2。 Duncan； progenitor of the Mackenzies of Hilton； and their branches； and of whom in their order as the senior cadet family of the clan。
He married secondly Margaret； daughter of Macdonald of Morar； a cadet of Clanranald； with issue
3。 Hector Roy or 〃Eachainn Ruadh；〃 from whom are descended the Mackenzies of Gairloch and their various offshoots； of whom in their proper place。
4。 A daughter； who married Allan Macleod； Hector Roy's predecessor in Gairloch。
He is also said to have had a natural son； Dugal； who became a priest and was Superior of the Priory of Beauly； which he repaired about 1478； and in which he is buried。 This ecclesiastic is said by others to have been Alexander's brother。 （Anderson's History of the Frasers； p。 66； and MS。 History of the Mackenzies。）
Alexander died in 1488 at Kinellan； having attained the extreme old age of 90 years； was buried in the Priory of Beauly； and was succeeded by his eldest son by the first marriage；
VII。 KENNETH MACKENZIE；
Better known as 〃Coinneach a' Bhlair；〃 or Kenneth of the Battle； from his prowess and success against the Macdonalds at the Battle of Park during his father's life…time。 He was served heir to his predecessor and seized in the lands of Kintail at Dingwall on the 2nd of September； 1488。 He secured the cognomen 〃Of the Battle〃 from the distinguished part he took in 〃Blar…na…Pairc〃 fought at a well…known spot still pointed out near Kinellan； above Strathpeffer。 His father was advanced in life before Kenneth married； and as soon as the latter arrived at twenty years of age Alexander thought it prudent； with the view of establishing peace between the two families； to match Kenneth； his heir and successor； with Margaret； daughter of John Lord of the Isles and fourth Earl of Ross； and for ever extinguish their ancient feuds in that alliance。 The Island chief willingly consented and the marriage was in due course solemnised。 About a year after； the Earl's nephew and apparent heir； Alexander Macdonald of Lochalsh； came to Ross； and； feeling more secure in consequence of this matrimonial alliance between the family of Mackenzie and his own； took possession of Balcony House and the adjoining lands； where； at the following Christmas； he provided a great feast for his old dependants； inviting to it also most of the more powerful chiefs and barons north of the Spey； and among others； Kenneth Mackenzie； his cousin's husband。 The house of Balcony being at the time very much out of repair； he could not conveniently lodge all his distinguished guests within it； and had accordingly to arrange for some of them in the outhouses as best he could。
Kenneth did not arrive until Christmas Eve； accompanied by a train of forty able bodied men； according to the custom of the times； but without his lady； which deeply offended Macdonald。 Maclean of Duart had chief charge of the arrangements in the house and the disposal of the guests。 Some days previously he had a disagreement with Kenneth at some games； and； on his arrival； Maclean told the heir of Kintail that； taking advantage of his connection with the family； they had taken the liberty of providing him with lodgings in the kiln。 Kenneth considered this an insult； and； divining that it proceeded from Maclean's illwill to him； he instantly struck him a blow on the ear； which threw him to the ground。 The servants in the house viewed this as a direct insult to their chief； Macdonald； and at once took to arms。 Kenneth； though sufficiently bold； soon perceived that he had no chance to light successfully or to beat a retreat； and； noticing several boats lying on the shore； which had been provided for the transport of the guests； he took as many of them as he required； sank the rest； and passed with his followers to the opposite shore； where he remained over night in the house of a tenant； who； like a good many more in those days； had no surname； but was simply known by a patronymic。 Kenneth； boiling with passion； was sorely affronted at the insult which he had received； and at being from his own house at Christmas； staying with a stranger； and off his own property。 In these circumstances； he requested his host to adopt the name of Mackenzie； promising him protection in future； so that be might thus be able to say that he slept under the roof of one of his own name。 The man at once consented； and his posterity were ever after known as Mackenzies。
Next morning （Christmas Day） Kenneth went to the hill above Chanonry； and sent word to the Bishop； who was at the time enjoying his Christmas with some of his clergy； that he desired to speak to him。 The Bishop knowing his man's temper and the turbulent state of the times thought it prudent to comply with this request； though be considered it very strange to receive such a message on such a day； and wondered much what his visitors object could be。 He soon found that Kenneth simply wanted a feu of the small piece of land on which was situated the house in which he had lodged the previous night； stating； as his reason； 〃lest Macdonald should brag that he had forced him on Christmas Day to lodge at another man's discretion； and not on own heritage。〃 The Bishop； willing to oblige him probably afraid to do otherwise； and perceiving him in such a rage； at once sent for his clerk and there and then granted him a charter of the township of Cullicudden； whereupon Kenneth returned to the place and remained in it all day； lording over it as his own property。
The place was kept by him and his successors until Colin 〃Cam〃 acquired more of the Bishop's lands in the neighbourhood； and afterwards exchanged the whole with the Sheriff of Cromarty for lands in Strathpeffer。
Next day Kenneth started for Kinellan； where his father； the old chief Alexander； resided； and related to him what had taken place。 His father was much grieved； for he well knew that the smallest difference between the families would revive their old grievances； and； although there was less danger since Macdonald's interest in Ross was smaller than in the past； yet he knew the clan to be a powerful one still； more so than his own； in their number of able…bodied warriors； but these considerations； strongly impressed upon the son by the experienced and aged father； only added fuel to the fire in Kenneth's bosom； which was already fiercely burning to avenge the insult offered him by Macdonald's servants。 His natural impetuosity could ill brook any such insult and he considered himself wronged so much that he felt it his duty personally to retaliate and avenge it。 While this was the state of his mind matters were suddenly brought to a crisis by the arrival on the fourth day of a messenger from Macdonald with a summons requesting Alexander and his son Kenneth to remove from Kinellan； with all their families； within twenty…four hours； allowing only that the young Lady Margaret； Macdonald's own cousin； might remain unti