Neil Mackinnon

Neil MacKinnon was the first Protestant minister on the island of Skye, being for many years in the 17th century the Episcopalian minister of first Strath and subsequently Sleat.

Origins and education MacKinnon was the eldest son of John Og MacKinnon, probably to be identified as the brother of Sir Lachlan MacKinnon of Strath. Clan traditions relate that his life was in danger as a child and that he spent some time in hiding in a cave, known ever since as Slochd Altrimen ("the Nursing Cave"). He graduated with an M.A. from the University of Glasgow in 1626.

Ministry In 1627 MacKinnon was appointed to Cill Chriosd (or Kilchrist), the parish church of Strath. On his appointment he "".

Family and descendants MacKinnon married Janet Macleod of Drynoch. They had five sons, including Donald, who served for a period from 1675 as minister of the united parishes of Strath and Sleat.