Kenneth, first Lord Mackenzie of Kintail, to quote the Earl of Cromarty, "was truly of an heroic temper, but of a spirit too great for his estates, perhaps for his country, yet bounded by his station, so as he (his father) resolved to seek employment for him abroad; but no sooner had he gone to France, but Glengarry most outrageously, without any cause, and against all equity and law convocates multitudes of people and invades his estates, sacking, burning, and destroying all. Kenneth's friends sent John Mackenzie of Tollie to inform him of these wrongs, whereupon he made a speedy return to an affair so urgent, and so suitable to his genius, for as he never offered wrong so he never suffered any. His heat did not overwhelm his wit, for he took a legal procedure, obtained a commission of fire and sword against Glengarry and his complices, which he prosecuted so bravely as in a short time by himself and his brother he soon forced them to retreat from his lands, and following them to their own bills, he soon dissipated and destroyed them, that young Glengarry and many others of their boldest and most outrageous were killed, and the rest forced to shelter themselves amongst the other Macdonalds in the islands and remote Highlands, leaving all their estates to Kenneth's disposal. This tribe of the Clan Ranald seem to have been too barbarous for even those lawless times, while by a strange contumacy in latter times, a representative of that ancient family pertinaciously continued to proclaim its infamy and downfall by the adherence to the wild strain of bagpipe music (their family pibroch called Cillechriost), at once indicative of its shame and submission. Kenneth's character and policies were of a higher order, and in the result he was everywhere the gainer by them." He was supported by Murdoch Mackenzie, II. of Redcastle; and by his own brothers - Sir Roderick Mackenzie of Coigeach, Alexander of Coul, and Alexander of Kilcoy, all men of more than ordinary intelligence and intrepidity.
Lord Kenneth married, first, Ann, daughter of George Ross, IX. of
Balnagown, with issue -
I. Colin Ruadh, his successor, afterwards created first Earl of
Seaforth.
II. John of Lochslinn, who married Isobel, eldest daughter of Alexander Mackenzie, V. of Gairloch, and died without lawful male issue.
III. Kenneth, who died unmarried.
IV. Barbara, who married Donald, Lord Reay.
V. Janet, who married Sir Donald Macdonald, VIII. of Sleat,
Baronet, with issue, his heir and successor, and others.
Kenneth married, secondly, Isobel, daughter of Sir Gilbert Ogilvie of Powrie, by whom he had -
VI. Alexander, who died without issue.
VII. George, who afterwards succeeded Colin as second Earl of Seaforth.