The Mackenzies are said to descend from Gilleon Na H'airde the progenitor of the O'Beolan Earls of Ross. In 1352 Murdo son Kenneth was granted a Charter by King David II. The Mackenzies can be said to have risen on the ruins of Clan Donald, whose vassals they were. In 1427 their Chief already had a following of 2000 men.

In 1447 King James III granted Alastair Mackenzie of Kintail extensive lans including Strathcoman. Under his son Kenneth the expansion continued. Kintail was erected into Barony in 1508.

The Mackenzies continued to extend their lands in Ross, from the Black Isle to the Gairloch and from Kintail to Coigeach. Their Western stronghold, the of Eilean Donan, was usually held for them by the MacRaes. In the seventeenth century they built Brahan Castle near Dingwall, made famous by the prophecies of the Brahen Seer.

The Mackenzies were staunch Jacobites and after the Rising of 1745 peerages were forfeited though later restored to them. Their present Chief, The Earl of Cromartie, descended from Sir Roderick Mackenzie of Coigeach, lives at Castle Leod in Strathconan, granted to the Mackenzie Chief in 1477.

Information taken from the MacKenzie Clan Heritage Book, available for sale through the site, price £3.50.