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While Kilravock would pass himself off as a miller； which plan succeeded so well as to secure Kilravock his release； but the Earl of Huntly； who was also a prisoner； having been conveyed by the Duke of Somerset to view the prisoners； espying his old friend Mackenzie among the common prisoners； and ignorant of the plot； called him by his name； desiring that he might shake hands with him； which civility two English officers noticed to Mackenzie's disadvantage； for thenceforward he was placed and guarded along with the other prisoners of quality； but afterwards released for a considerable sum； to which all his people contributed without burdening his own estate with it； ＇〃He was ransomed by cows that was raised through all his lands。〃Letterform MS。＇ so returning home to set himself to arrange his private affairs； and in the year 1556 he acquired the heritage of Culteleod and Drynie from Denoon； which was confirmed to him by Queen Mary under the Great Seal； at Inverness 13th July the same year。 He had previously； in 1544； acquired the other half of Culteleod and Drynie from Magnus Mowat； and Patrick Mowat of Bugholly。 In 1543 John Mackenzie acquired Kildins； part of Lochbroom； to himself and Elizabeth Grant； his wife； holding blench for a penny； and confirmed in the same year by Queen Mary。 ＇MS。 History by the Earl of Cromartie。＇
In 1540 Mackenzie with his followers joined King James at Loch Duich； while on his way with a large fleet to secure the good government of the West Highlands and Isles； upon which occasion many of the suspected and refractory leaders were carried south and placed in confinement。 His Majesty died soon after； in 1542。 Queen Mary succeeded； and； being a minor； the country generally； but particularly the northern parts； was thrown into a state of anarchy and confusion。 In 1544 the Earl of Huntly； holding a commission as Lieutenant of the North from the Queen Regent； Mary of Guise； commanded Kenneth Mackenzie； younger of Kintail （his father； from his advanced age； being unable to take the field）； to raise his vassals and lead an expedition against the Clan Ranald of Moidart； who； at that time； held lands from Mackenzie on the West Coast； but Kenneth； in these circumstances； thought it would be much against his personal interest to attack Donald Glas of Moidart； and refused to comply with Huntly's orders。 To punish him； the Earl ordered his whole army； consisting of three thousand men； to proceed against both Moidart and Mackenzie with fire and sword； but he had not sufficiently calculated on the constitution of his force； which was chiefly composed of Grants； Rosses； Mackintoshes； and Chisholms； and Kenneth's mother being a daughter of John； then laird of Grant； and three of his daughters having married； respectively； Ross of Balnagown； Lachlan Mackintosh of Mackintosh； and Alexander Chisholm of Comar； Huntly found his followers as little disposed to molest Mackenzie as he had been to attack Donald Glas of Moidart。 In addition to the friendly feelings of the other chiefs towards young Kintail； fostered by these family alliances； Huntly was not at all popular with his own followers； or with the Highlanders generally。 He had incurred such odium for having some time before executed the Laird of Mackintosh； contrary to his solemn pledge； that it required little excuse on the part of the exasperated kindred tribes to counteract his plans； and on the slightest pretext to refuse to follow him。
He was therefore obliged to retire from the West without effecting any substantial service； was ultimately disgraced committed to Edinburgh Castle； compelled to renounce the Earldom of Moray and all his other possessions in the north； and sentenced to banishment in France for five years。
On the 13th of December 1545； at Dingwall； the Earl of Sutherland entered into a bond of manrent with John Mackenzie of Kintail for mutual defence against all enemies； reserving only their allegiance to their youthful Queen； Mary Stuart。 ＇Sir Robert Gordon； p。 112。＇ Two years later the Earl of Arran sent the fiery cross over the nation calling upon all between the ages of sixteen and sixty to meet him at Musselburgh for the protection of the infant Queen。 Mackenzie of Kintail； then between sixty and seventy years of age； when he might fairly consider himself exempt from further military service； duly appeared with all the followers he could muster； prudently leaving Kenneth； his only son； at home and when remonstrated with for taking part in such a perilous journey at his time of life； especially as he was far past the stipulated age for active service； the old chief patriotically remarked that one of his age could not possibly die more decorously than in the defence of his country。 In the same year （1547） he fought bravely； at the head of his clan； with all the enthusiasm and gallantry of his younger days； at the battle of Pinkie； where he was wounded in the head and taken prisoner； but was soon afterwards released； through the influence of the Earl of Huntly； who had meanwhile again got into favour received a full pardon； and was appointed Chancellor for Scotland。
The Earl of Huntly some time after this paid a visit to Ross； intending； if he were kindly received by the great chiefs； to feu a part of the earldom of Ross； still in the King's hands； and to live in the district for some period of the year。 Mackenzie； although friendly disposed towards the Earl； had no desire to have him residing in his immediate neighbourhood； and he arranged a plan which had the effect of deciding Huntly to give up。 any idea of remaining or feuing any lands in Ross。
The Earl； having obtained a commission from the Regent to hold courts in the county； came to the castle of Dingwall； where he invited the principal chiefs to meet him。 John of Killin； though very advanced in years； was the first to arrive； and he was very kindly received by Huntly。 Mackenzie in return made a pretence of heartily welcoming and congratulating his lordship on his coming to Ross； and trusted that he would be the means of protecting him and his friends from the violence of his son； Kenneth； who； taking advantage of his frailty and advanced years； was behaving most unjustly towards him。 John； indeed； expressed the hope that the Earl would punish Kenneth for his illegal and unnatural rebellion against him； his aged father。 While they were thus speaking； a message came in that a large number of armed men； three or four hundred strong； with banners flying and pipes playing； were just in sight on the hill above Dingwall。
The Earl became alarmed； not knowing whom they might be or what their object was； whereupon Mackenzie said that it could be no other than Kenneth and his rebellious followers coming to punish him for paying his lordship this visit without his consent and he advised the Earl to leave at once； as he was not strong enough to resist the enemy； and to take him （the old chief） along with him in order to protect him from his son's violence； which would now； in consequence of this visit he directed against him more than ever。 The Earl and his retinue at once withdrew t