On his death in 1990 his son John Ruaridh Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Cromartie succeeded as chief of Clan Mackenzie.McKenzie, Alan. History of the Mackenzies , pp. 176–177. (link to chapter 11 ) The Earl of Cromartie still owns lands in clan country however, the largest remaining Mackenzie landowner by some margin is Mackenzie of Gairloch, with an estate which extends to over 50,000 acres (like the clan chief, Mackenzie of Gairloch has inherited his clan name and lands through the female line).Moncreiffe of that Ilk, pp.150–154.Gairloch (Flowerdale & Shieldaig) & Conon . Who Owns Scotland . Retrieved on 2008-03-16 (The estate encompasses . The landownership in Scotland still in the hands of very few landowners. Note that of 97% of the total land in Scotland is rural, of this ownership of private interests. Of the land in private ownership one quarter of it is held by only 66 landowners; one third of it is owned by 120; one half is owned 343; two-thirds is owned by 1,252 landowners). The current chief is a member of the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs.The Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs website. (link to website) Retrieved on 2008-03-17
