McKenzie, Kenneth

Milestones:

Birth:   / / 1775

Marriage:  / / 1800 Isabel MacNeil, Dingwall

Death: April 02 1853, Dingwall

Short Life Summary

Kenneth was born into a crofting family at Kinnairdie, Dingwall in 1775. He became a stonemason and married a local girl, Isabel MacNeil, in 1800.

When Isabel’s father died around 1810, Kenneth and Isabel inherited his small coaching business known as a ‘change’ essentially stabling where horses were changed for the onward journey. By 1820 he had built the business into the town’s first Inn, opened as ‘Mackenzie’s Change House’, later ‘The Head Inn’.

Kenneth used growing profits and wider social recognition to promote the education and careers of his children. William, the oldest son, studied at Aberdeen University and became a military surgeon in India; Kenneth junior became private secretary to James Stewart-Mackenzie of Brahan when the latter was appointed governor of Ceylon in 1837.

Isabel died in 1831; Kenneth never remarried. Rather he devoted himself to business and business rivalry with John Mackenzie (no relation.)

In the 1840s he acquired the lease of Pitglassie Farm, by Dingwall. He retired there, taking pride in being the ‘tacksman of Pitglassie’ a status reflected on his tombstone, but a more modest honour than the knighthoods awarded later to his oldest son and a grandson.

Invitation

Appreciations are invited from family members and others, especially those who, like our customer, feel that Kenneth Mackenzie deserves to be remembered and celebrated.

They should be sent to: registrations@milestonesscotland.co.uk.

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Postscript:

For more information on  Dingwall’s role in coaching in the first half of the 19^th century visit the Dingwall Museum at  the Town House 65 High Street or  at  https://www.dingwallmuseum.com/