Kenneth McKenzie of Evanton, Ross-shire, later Kenneth McKenzie & Sons, Evanton, was a noted implement maker in Ross-shire, whose name went well-beyond the boundaries of that county.
Kenneth was already a smith and farrier in 1903. In 1922 he is recorded in trade directories as an agricultural engineer, a mechanical engineer, a motor engineer and a smith. By 1955 he is denoted as an agricultural engineer, implement, machinery and equipment manufacturer and as a tractor and implement dealer.
Kenneth’s business grew and expanded.
By 1945 he had premises at Evanton and also Conon Bridge. In 1955 he also had a branch at Inverness. He was joined by his sons in business by 1949, becoming “Kenneth McKenzie & Sons”. Sister company also emerged, including Kenneth McKenzie & Sons (Caithness) Ltd, which had premises at Burn Street, Wick, in 1952.
The company actively promoted its manufactures and its implements and machines for which it was an agent at the Highland Show from 1923 onwards until 1956. It focused its attention on the shows in the more northern parts of Scotland attending ones at Inverness, Perth, Edinburgh, Dundee, Paisley, Aberdeen, and Alloa.
The company manufactured its own implements and machines. They included potato dressers, root cutters, barrows, food coolers, and sack holders.
The Ross-shire Journal and other local north of Scotland newspapers carried adverts and features on Kenneth and his business. These included a short history of the firm when it reached its fortieth anniversary. Another one was of his obituary. Both have been set out below as they provide insights into the business and the man behind it.
“Farm Engineering Development (from Ross-shire journal, 31 May 1935)
Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, Evanton
Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, agricultural engineer, as will be seen from our advertising columns, has added to his firm at Evanton, the blacksmith business at Conon Bridge, for the past eight years carried on by Mrs John Macdonald. Mr Mackenzie is recognised as one of the best known men in his line in the North of Scotland. His business acumen, efficiency and skill have built up at Evanton a comprehensive business, which has points of contact all over the British Isles, and even further afield.
His first love
It is now 40 years since Mr Mackenzie started business on his own account in a small way as a country blacksmith, and it is characteristic of him that he has always regarded the smith work as the true core of the present much extended business. All his departments have grown more or less directly out of the typical rural smithy, which was Mr Mackenzie’s first love.
Early developments
The first expansion was made when cycling came into vogue and the hiring of cycles at 6d per hour proved a popular and a fairly remunerative innovation. The acme of achievement was reached when adventurous youth acquired the large sum of 3d and hired a cycle for half-an-hour. No BBC special broadcast of the present day is ever timed more accurately than was the time of hiring in those days.
Next came the super-novelty motor cycles and hard on their heels (or wheels) motor cars. Following this came the time when agricultural needs called for attention which resulted in the equipping, of the Smithy at Evanton with modern engineering machinery.
Evanton and electricity
Long before the advent of the Ross-shire Electric Light Company, the village of Evanton had its electric light and power. The latter was utilised to drive the machinery which Mr Mackenzie installed. The patenting of a turnip cutter was the next step and this coincided with an interest in engines and lawn mowers.
Keeping step with the advancement of business came the extension of premises. The small corner of the Smithy, dignified by the name of office was replaced by a cycle show cabinet-a glorified shed. This in turn was replaced by “the office”, which is part of the dwelling house.
The building of commodious premises to the east side of the main street followed, where the motor, cycle, iron-mongery departments and offices today are to be found. The other departments are still on the old site, but occupy an area several times the size of the original smithy.
Now in May 1935, comes the foothold in Conon Bridge. Here Mr Mackenzie’s history promises to repeat itself. For a time the new branch will be concerned mainly with agricultural requirements and to the cycle trade. But the branch will be able to meet all demands made upon it. It will have skilled mechanics and workmen on the spot, as well as machinery, equipment and spare parts. And, of course, the branch will be in constant touch with the headquarters at Evanton, with all its resources in men and machinery, and the experience of 40 years.”
“Obituary (Northern chronicle and general advertiser for the north of Scotland, 7 April 1954)
Mr Kenneth Mackenzie, who passed away recently at his home in Evanton, aged 81 years, was a well-known personality in the agricultural life of the northern Highlands, especially where all that is best in agricultural machinery is concerned. From small beginnings and by dint of hard work and high business integrity, coupled with a decided ability in inventing and developing farm implements, he built up, in conjunction with his two sons, a business which to-day enjoys wide ramifications. In particular, he gained a lasting place in the business annals of his time when he built and patented the MacKenzie Turnip cutter and the McKenzie Sack-holder over forty-years ago, machines which are still made at his agricultural engineering business in Evanton. By looking farther into the future than most, he created the means of dispensing with much of what had formerly been back-breaking work on farm and croft.
His earliest working days were spent at the blacksmith’s forge, and in 1896 he took over a similar establishment in Evanton. The passing years brought the rewards of his industry and ability, and branches of his business were opened in Conon, Inverness and Wick.
Mr Mackenzie’s work was his hobby and his hobby his work, which left little time for any leading part in public life. Nevertheless, any good cause received his warm support and he was a staunch member and elder of Kiltearn Free Church. His passing will be regretted by many and his example of a long life lived in admirable pattern, will remain green.
Predeceased by his wife (an Easter Ross lady) in October, 1951, a year or two after they had celebrated their golden wedding, he is survived by a family of two sons, William and Hector, both in the family business, and three daughters, Mrs D. Macmaster, Evanton; Mrs J. G. Boyd, Invergordon, and Mrs A. C. Gray, Pitlochry.”
