This most ancient clan is found associated with the southwest of Scotland from the twelfth century, and the history of the Carrick district of Ayrshire is substantially the early history of the Kennedies.

The Kennedies of Dunure acquired Cassillis, and later one of the family married Mary, daughter of King Robert III. Their son was created Lord Kennedy in 1457, and in 1509 the third Lord Kennedy was created Earl of Cassillis. While the family had many illustrious men, Gilbert, 4th Earl, earned an infamous reputation for his dreadful deed of “ roasting the Abbot of Crossraguel” in the black vault of Dunure, to obtain possession of the lands of the Abbey. Archibald, 12th Earl of Cassillis, was created Baron Ailsa in 1806, and in 1831 Marquess of Ailsa.

Tradition tells that Ulric Kennedy fled from Ayrshire for some lawless deed and settled in Lochaber where his decendants were known as Clan Ulric, and the Kennedies of Skye, and other districts of the Highlands, trace their decent from this branch of the family. The Lochaber Kennedies joined forces with the Camerons and are accepted as a sept of the later clan.

Crest: A dolphin naiant, proper. The crest of the MacUlrics is said to have a hand grasping a dagger.