Sir Kenneth Mackenzie
(1832-1900)
26 October 1860

Volume 2, page 58, sitting number 1531.

Born on 25 May 1832, Kenneth Smith Mackenzie was the eldest son of Sir Francis Alexander Mackenzie, fifth Baronet, by his first wife Kythé Caroline née Wright. He was educated privately and at the Universities of Edinburgh and Giessen. He succeeded his father in 1843. 

In 1854 he was appointed Attaché to Her Majesty's Legation at Washington, which, however, he never joined. In 1855 he was appointed Convener of the Commissioners of Supply. He was also Lord Lieutenant of Ross and Cromarty from 1881 until shortly before his death. In 1890 he became Chairman of the County Council. He attained the rank of Major in the Highland Rifle (Ross-shire) Militia.

According to a contemporary source, he 'has long been considered one of the best and most enlightened landlords in the Highlands. Following the example of his father and grandfather he for many years dealt directly with his people, without any factor, or other intermediary, except an estate manager at Gairloch, and, like his ancestors, took a personal interest in every man on his property. He takes an active and intelligent part in all county matters [...] In 1880 he contested the county of Inverness as a Liberal against Donald Cameron of Lochiel, the Tory candidate, but was defeated by a majority of 28. In 1883-84 he was a member of the Royal (Napier) Commission to enquire into the condition and grievances of the Highland crofters. In 1885 he again contested the county of Inverness as the official Liberal candidate against Reginald Macleod in the Tory interest and Charles Fraser-Mackintosh as the Independent Land Law Reform candidate, when he was again defeated' (Alexander Mackenzie, History of the Mackenzies, 1894). 

On 11 December 1860, Sir Kenneth Smith Mackenzie, sixth Baron of Gairloch, married Eila Frederica, second daughter of the late Walter Frederic Campbell of Islay, and sister of John Francis Campbell.

Major Sir Kenneth Mackenzie died, aged 68, on 9 February 1900 at Conon (sometimes Conan) House, the ancestral home of the Mackenzies of Gairloch near Dingwall on the Black Isle in Ross and Cromarty. He left an estate valued at £22,284. 

[From an album compiled by either the Campbells of Ardpatrick or the Campbells of Islay.]