The succession of John of Killin was at most only
a remote possibility when his father died, and therefore no Tutor
to him would have been appointed.
In terms of an Act passed in 1496, anent the education of young
gentlemen of note, John, when young, was sent by Hector Roy to
Edinburgh to complete his education at Court. He thus, in early
life, acquired a knowledge of legal principles and practice of great
service and value to him in after life, not only in the management
of his own affairs, but in aiding his friends and countrymen in
their peculiar difficulties by his counsel and guidance, and thus
he secured such universal esteem and confidence as seldom fell
to the lot of a Highland chief in that rude and unruly age. The
standard of education necessary at Court in those days must have
been very different from that required in ours, for we find that,
with all his opportunities, John of Killin could not write his own
name. To a bond in favour of the Earl of Huntly he subscribes,
"Jhone M'Kenzie of Kyntaill, with my hand on the pen led by Master
William Gordone, Notar."
Referring to the power of the House of Kintail at this period, and
to the rapid advance made by the family under Alexander and his
successors, we quote the following from a modern MS.
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