"
That is, "Colin, an Irish stranger and nobleman, of the family of the
Geraldines who, in the previous year, had been driven from Ireland,
and had been well received by the King, remained up to this time at
Court, and fought bravely in the aforesaid battle." This extract has
often been quoted to prove that Colin Fitzgerald was the progenitor of
the Mackenzies; but it will be noticed that it contains no reference
whatever to the point. It merely says that Colin, an Irishman, was
present at Largs.
After the defeat of Haco the King sent detachments to secure the
West Highlands and Isles, and to check the local chiefs. Among the
leaders sent in charge of the Western garrisons was, according to
the supporters of the Irish-origin theory, Colin Fitzgerald, who,
under the patronage of Walter Stewart, Earl of Menteith, was settled
in the Government of the Castle of Ellandonnan, the well-known
stronghold of the Mackenzies, in Kintail, situated on a small
rocky island at the junction of Lochalsh, Loch Duich and Loch Long.
Colin's jurisdiction, it is said, extended over a wide district,
and he is referred to in the fragment of the Record of Icolmkill,
already quoted, as he "of whom we have spoken at the battle of
Largs, and who afterwards conducted himself with firmness against
the Islanders, and was left a governor among them.
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