Rorie Mor Mackenzie, 1st of Achilty

Biographical Summary

"I. Rory Mor Mackenzie, first of Achilty. He was a most powerful man, and numerous instances of his prowess are still related among his countrymen, the most noted of which was his defeat of the famous Italian champion before King James V.. He married, first, a daughter of Farquhar MacEachainn Maclean, with issue —

• Alastair Roy, his heir and successor.
• Alastair Dubh, who died without issue.
• John Roy, who married, with issue.

He married, secondly, a lady of the name of Grant, widow of Ross of Balnagown, also with issue.

By a daughter of William Dubh Macleod he had four natural sons, the eldest of whom, Murdoch, legitimatised by James V. in 1539, was progenitor of the family of Fairburn. The other three — Alexander, John, and Roderick — were also legitimatised by the same King in 1541.

Rory Mor died on the 17th of March, 1533, was buried at Beauly, and succeeded by his eldest son."

SOURCE: History of the Mackenzies, with genealogies of the principal families of the name; Alexander Mackenzie; 1894; page 505