Kenneth Alexander MacKinnon - Obituary

Long time , Highland & Islands resident and Scots Gaelic language and culture supporter Kenneth Alexander MacKinnon passed away on October 31, 2016 surrounded by family and friends in Los Angeles, California after a two year battle with cancer. He was 68 years old.

MacKinnon was the Owner & Proprietor of the popular Harbour View Seafood Restaurant in , Isle of Skye from 1996 – 2006. He was an ardent and successful campaigner against excessive toll charges on the Skye Bridge, which eventually abolished all fees in December, 2004.

MacKinnon was also a Gaelic and English language contributor to BBC Radio about entertainment, food and culture themes, and was also a recurring guest commentator on Cuillen FM. Preserving and promoting the use of Scots Gaelic language and the culture of the Highlands was never far from Kenneth’s mind. During a trip to Honolulu, Hawaii he arrived by coincidence at the same time as the Hawaiian Inter-Island Scottish Games. Kenneth rearranged his holiday to attend the gathering where he delivered an impromptu Gaelic language lesson.

He met his wife Sallie Olmsted at the BAFTA Oscar Nominees Tea Party in Los Angeles in 2001 and commuted between Portree, Isle of Skye and Los Angeles until the two married in 2006. After emigrating to Los Angeles in 2007, he continued to provide periodic radio reports for BBC Radio Scotland and Cuillen FM about entertainment topics from his home studio.

Born in Kyle of Localsh, he lived at Nunton House, Balavanich, from 1958 – 1963. After working overseas assignments for the oil and construction industry in the Middle East, he returned to live on Isle of Skye, Scotland in 1982.

MacKinnon attended Warwick University, Warwickshire, England and also earned a Diploma in Gaelic Broadcasting from the Highland & Islands University, Sabhal Mor Ostaig (Gaelic College) in , Isle of Skye in Scotland.

He is survived by his wife Sallie Olmsted-MacKinnon of Los Angeles, California; son Christian Mackinnon of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire; daughter Anna Ciorstan McMullen of Isle of Skye; sister Christine Oxley of Stafford, Staffordshire; brother Angus MacKinnon of Uttoxeter, Staffordshire and Uskavagh, Benbecula; and two grandsons, Cameron MacKinnon and Kori MacKinnon.