Sir George Mackenzie


(Lord Royston; Viscount Tarbat; Earl of Cromartie)

1630 - 1714

Lawyer and politician. Born in Fife and educated at St Andrews and Aberdeen, Mackenzie was an able lawyer and a royalist, supporting King Charles II (1630-85) who appointed Mackenzie Lord of Session on his restoration. His legal designation was Lord Royston. A loyal supporter of King James VII (1633 - 1701) who made him 1st Viscount Tarbat (1685), but Mackenzie went on to support William of Orange after the 'Glorious Revolution'. Mackenzie became Secretary of State (1702) and played an important, if unprincipled role in supporting the Act of Union (1707). He was a landowner in the old county of Ross-shire and built Royston House (now Caroline Park) as his seaside retreat close to Edinburgh.

He was made the 1st Earl of Cromartie by Queen Anne in 1703.


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