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of this visit he directed against him more than ever。 The Earl and his retinue at once withdrew to Easter Ross。 Kenneth ordered his men to pursue them。 He overtook them as they were crossing the bridge of Dingwall and killed several of them； but having attained his object of frightening Huntly out of Ross； he ordered his men to desist。 This skirmish is known as the 〃affair of Dingwall Bridge。〃 ＇Ardintoul MS。＇
In 1556 Y Mackay of Farr； progenitor of the Lords of Reay； refused to appear before the Queen Regent at Inverness； to answer charges made against him for depredations committed in Sutherlandshire； and she issued a commission to John； fifth Earl of Sutherland； to lay Mackay's country waste。 Mackay； satisfied that he could not successfully oppose the Earl's forces in the field； pillaged and plundered another district of Sutherland。 The Earl conveyed intelligence of how matters stood to John of Kintail； who； in terms of the bond of manrent entered into between them in 1545； despatched his son Kenneth with an able body of the clan to arrest Mackay's progress； which duty he performed most effectually。
Meeting at Brora； a severe contest ensued； which terminated in the defeat of Mackay； with the loss of Angus MacIain Mhoir； one of his chief commanders； and many of his clan。 Kenneth was thereupon； conjointly with his father； appointed by the Earl of Sutherland…then the Queen's Lieutenant north of the Spey； and Chamberlain of the Earldom of Ross ＇Sir Robert Gordon； p。 134。＇his deputies in the management of this vast property； at the same time placing them in possession of Ardmeanoch； or Redcastle； which remained ever since； until within a recent period； in the possession of the family； becoming the property of Kenneth's third son； Ruairidh Mor； first of the house of Redcastle； and progenitor of the family of Kincraig and other well…known branches。
After this； Kintail seems to have lived in peace during the remainder of his long life。 He died at his home at Inverchonan； in 1561； about eighty years of age。 He was buried in the family aisle at Beauly。 That he was a man of proved valour is fully established by the distinguished part he took in the battles of Flodden and Pinkie。 The Earl of Cromarty informs us that； 〃in his time he purchased much of the Brae…lands of Ross； and secured both what he acquired and what his predecessors had； by well ordered and legal security； so that it is doubtful whether his predecessors' courage or his prudence contributed most to the rising of the family。〃
In illustration of the latter quality； we quote the following story： John Mackenzie of Kintail 〃was a very great courtier and counsellor of Queen Manes。 Much of the lands of Brae Ross were acquired by him； which minds me how he entertained the Queen's Chamberlain who she sent north to learn the state and condition of the gentry of Ross； minding to feu her interest of that Earldome。 Sir John； hearing of their coming to his house of Killin； he caused his servants put on a great fyre of ffresh arn wood newly cutt； which when they came in （sitting on great jests of wood which he caused sett there a purpose） made such a reek that they were almost blinded； and were it not the night was so ill they would rather goe than byde it。 They had not long sitten when his servants came in with a great bull； which presently they brained on the floor； and or they well could look about； this fellow with his dirk； and that fellow with his； were cutting collops of him。 Then conies in another sturdie lusty fellow with a great calderon in his hand； and ane axe in the other； and with its shaft stroak each of these that were cutting the collops； and then made Taylzies of it and put all in the kettle； sett it on the same tire before them all and helped the tire with more green wood。 When all was ready as he had ordered； a long； large table was covered and the beef sett on in great scaills of dishes instead of pleats。 They had scarcely sitten to supper when they let loose six or sevin great hounds to supp the broth； but before they made ane end of it； they made such a tulzie as made them all start at the table。 The supper being ended； and longing for their bedds （but much more for day）； there comes in 5 or 6 lustie women with windlings of strae （and white plaids） which they spread on each side of the house； whereon the gentlemen were forced to lye in their cloaths； thinking they had come to purgatory before hand； but they had no sooner seen day light than without stayeing dinner they made to the gett； down to Ross where they were most noblie entertained be Ffowlis； Belnagowin； Miltoun； and severall other gentlemen。 But when they were come south the Queen asked who were the ablest men they saw there。 They answered all they did see lived like princes； except Her Majesty's great courtier and counsellor Mackenzie。 So tells her all their usage in his house； and that he slept with his doggs and sat with his hounds； wherat the Queen leugh mirrily （whatever her thoughts was of M'Kenzie） and said ‘It were a pity of his poverty； ffor he is the best and honestest among them all。' The Queen thereafter having called all the gentry of Ross to hold their lands of the Crown in feu； Mackenzie got （by her favour and his pretended poverty） the easiest feu； and for his 1000 merks more than any of the rest had for three。〃 ＇Ancient MS。＇
John had a natural son named Dugall； who lived in Applecross； and married a niece of Macleod of Harris； by whom he had a son and one daughter。 The son； also named Dugall； was a schoolmaster in Chanonry； and died without issue。 The daughter was married to Duncan Mackenzie； Reraig； and after his death to Mackintosh of Strone。 Dugall； the elder； was killed by the Mathesons at Kishorn。 John had also a natural daughter； Janet； who married first Mackay of Reay； and secondly； Roderick Macleod； X。 of Lewis； with issueTorquil Cononach； and afterwards 〃Ian Mor na Tuaighe；〃 brother of John MacGillechallum of Raasay； with whom she eloped。
He married Elizabeth； daughter of John； tenth Laird of Grant； and by her had an only son and successor；
X。 KENNETH MACKENZIE；
Commonly known as Coinneach na Cuirc； or Kenneth of the Whittle； so called from his skill in wood carving and general dexterity with the Highland 〃sgian dubh。〃 He succeeded his father in 1561。 In the following year he was among the chiefs who； at the head of their followers； met Queen Mary at Inverness； and helped her to obtain possession of the Castle after Alexander Gordon； the governor； refused her admission。 In the same year an Act of Privy Council； dated the 21st of May； bears that he had delivered up Mary Macleod； the heiress of Harris and Dunvegan； of whom he had previously by accident obtained the custody； into the hands of Queen Mary； with whom she afterwards remained for several years as a maid of honour。 The Act is as follows：
〃The same day； in presence of the Queen's Majesty and Lords of Secret Council； compeared Kenneth Mackenzie of Kintail； who； being commanded by letters and also by writings direct from the Queen's Grace； to exhibit； produce； and present before her Highness Mary