Clan Mackay is an ancient and once powerful
Scottish clanScottish clans , give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs recognised by the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which acts as an authority concerning matters of heraldry and Coat of Arms...
from the far north of the
Scottish HighlandsThe Highlands is an historic region of Scotland. The area is sometimes referred to as the "Scottish Highlands". It was culturally distinguishable from the Lowlands from the later Middle Ages into the modern period, when Lowland Scots replaced Scottish Gaelic throughout most of the Lowlands...
, but with roots in the old
kingdom of MorayThe Mormaerdom or Kingdom of Moray was a lordship in High Medieval Scotland that was destroyed by King David I of Scotland in 1130. It did not have the same territory as the modern local government council area of Moray, which is a much smaller area, around Elgin...
. They were a powerful force in politics beginning in the 14th century, supporting
Robert the BruceRobert I , popularly known as Robert the Bruce , was King of Scots from March 25, 1306, until his death in 1329.His paternal ancestors were of Scoto-Norman heritage , and...
. In the centuries that followed they were anti-
JacobiteJacobitism was the political movement in Britain dedicated to the restoration of the Stuart kings to the thrones of England, Scotland, later the Kingdom of Great Britain, and the Kingdom of Ireland...
. The
Highland ClearancesThe Highland Clearances were forced displacements of the population of the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. They led to mass emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands, and the North American colonies...
had dire consequences for the clan, but since then they have spread through many parts of the world and have provided it many famous and influential people. The territory of the Clan Mackay consisted of the parishes of
DurnessDurness is a huge but remote parish in the northwestern Highlands of Scotland, encompassing all the land between the Moine to the East and the Gualin to the West...
,
TongueTongue is a coastal village in northwest Highland, Scotland, in the western part of the former county of Sutherland. It lies on the east shore above the base of the Kyle of Tongue and north of the mountains Ben Hope and Ben Loyal...
and Farr in the north of the county of
SutherlandSutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
, later it would extend and include the parish of
ReayReay is a village which has grown around Sandside Bay on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland. It is within the historic Parish of Reay and the historic county of Caithness....
in the west of the neighboring county of
CaithnessCaithness is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic local government area of Scotland. The name was used also for the earldom of Caithness and the Caithness constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . Boundaries are not identical in all contexts, but the Caithness area is...
. The chief of the clan is
Lord ReayLord Reay, of Reay in the County of Caithness, is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. Lord Reay is the hereditary Clan Chief of Clan Mackay, whose lands in Strathnaver and northwest Sutherland were known as the Reay Country. The land was sold to the Earls of Sutherland in the 18th century...
.
Origins
The Mackays are believed to descend from the
PictsThe Picts were a group of Late Iron Age and Early Mediaeval people living in what is now eastern and northern Scotland. There is an association with the distribution of brochs, place names beginning 'Pit-', for instance Pitlochry, and Pictish stones. They are recorded from before the Roman conquest...
, ancient tribes that lived in
ScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The name Mackay is also found in
IrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
from ancient times, when several tribes from the northern area of Ireland, which was once part of an ancient Scottish kingdom known as
Dál RiataDál Riata was a Gaelic overkingdom on the western coast of Scotland with some territory on the northeast coast of Ireland...
, moved across the sea to Scotland. The Mackays in Scotland were based in
StrathnaverStrathnaver or Strath Naver is the fertile strath of the River Naver, a famous salmon river that flows from Loch Naver to the north coast of Scotland...
in modern
SutherlandSutherland is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic administrative county of Scotland. It is now within the Highland local government area. In Gaelic the area is referred to according to its traditional areas: Dùthaich 'IcAoidh , Asainte , and Cataibh...
. Although the exact origin of Clan Mackay is unknown, it is generally accepted that they belonged to the early
CeltThe Celts were a diverse group of tribal societies in Iron Age and Roman-era Europe who spoke Celtic languages.The earliest archaeological culture commonly accepted as Celtic, or rather Proto-Celtic, was the central European Hallstatt culture , named for the rich grave finds in Hallstatt, Austria....
ic population of Scotland, although, given their geographical proximity to the
NorseNorsemen is used to refer to the group of people as a whole who spoke what is now called the Old Norse language belonging to the North Germanic branch of Indo-European languages, especially Norwegian, Icelandic, Faroese, Swedish and Danish in their earlier forms.The meaning of Norseman was "people...
immigrants, it is likely that the two races later intermarried.
The most popular and accepted theory as to the origins of the chieftainship of the Clan Mackay is that the chief was descended from the Pictish royal house of MacEth. However, Michael Mackay, author and researcher of the Clan Aedh or Mackay claims that The Chiefs of Clan Aedh or Mackay are a continuation of the Cinel Loarn- a division of the original Gaelic Scottish royal house which ruled the kingdom of Dal-Riada till 843, then the Kingdom of Scotland till 1058. Michael claims that King Lulach's daughter married her cousin, Aedh, Mormaor of Ross, who was a great-grandson of Domnall mac Ruaridh, King MacBeth's uncle. Michael Mackay further claims that Angus, king of Moray who was killed in battle in 1130 was their son. His brother Mael-Coluim MacAedh, Mormaor of Moray and Ross, was imprisoned and released my King Mael-Coluim IV, blinded, and died in 1168, continued the line. Several generations claimed the Scottish Throne until Mael-Coluim IV drove most of the Moraymen out of Moray. Mael-colum MacAedh's family fled over the mountains and settled in Strathnaver. Mael-Coluim's daughter Gormflaith married the Norse Harold,
Earl of OrkneyThe Earl of Orkney was originally a Norse jarl ruling Orkney, Shetland and parts of Caithness and Sutherland. The Earls were periodically subject to the kings of Norway for the Northern Isles, and later also to the kings of Alba for those parts of their territory in mainland Scotland . The Earl's...
which then also included
CaithnessCaithness is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic local government area of Scotland. The name was used also for the earldom of Caithness and the Caithness constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . Boundaries are not identical in all contexts, but the Caithness area is...
. Mael-coluim macAedh's son Domnall, and grandson Cinnaedh, claimed the Scottish Throne. Cinnaedh was killed in battle in 1215. Cinnaedh's son, Aedh was raised to the chiefship of his Clan Mackay in 1250. In 1260 Iye Mor MacHeth married a daughter of
Bishop Walter of CaithnessWalter de Baltrodin [Baltroddi; Baltroddie] was a 13th century Scottish bishop; if his name can be taken as a guide, he came from "Baltrodin" - Baltroddie - in Gowrie...
. In 1263 the Clan Mackay are said to have fought in the
Battle of LargsThe Battle of Largs was an engagement fought between the armies of Norway and Scotland near the present-day town of Largs in North Ayrshire on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland on 2 October 1263. It was the most important military engagement of the Scottish-Norwegian War. The Norwegian forces were...
in support of King
Alexander III of ScotlandAlexander III was King of Scots from 1249 to his death.-Life:...
. The forces of King
Haakon IV of NorwayHaakon Haakonarson , also called Haakon the Old, was king of Norway from 1217 to 1263. Under his rule, medieval Norway reached its peak....
were defeated . Mael-Coluim Mac Aedh's family is represented in the male line today by Lord Mackay of Reay, 14th Lord, who is Chief of Clan Aedh. Lord Mackay's DNA has not yet been tested, but Y-chromosome DNA taken from Mackays in America show the DNA signature of the Dal-Riada royal clan, of which the Cinel Loairn was the senior division.
Wars of Scottish Independence
In 1314 the Clan Mackay fought under Robert the Bruce at the
Battle of BannockburnThe Battle of Bannockburn was a significant Scottish victory in the Wars of Scottish Independence...
where they helped defeat the English. Later in the 14th century, in 1371 two Mackay chieftains were murdered, father and son, at
Dingwall CastleDingwall Castle was a medieval fort in the town of Dingwall, eastern Ross-shire, Scotland.The castle is believed to have been established by Norse settlers in the area in the 11th century.-Wars of Scottish Independence:...
by Nicholas Sutherland of Duffus, head of one of the junior branches of
Clan SutherlandClan Sutherland is a Highland Scottish clan whose traditional territory is located in the region of Sutherland in northern highlands of Scotland and was one of the most powerful Scottish clans. The clan seat is at Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland...
. Much bloodshed followed, including a retaliatory raid on Dornoch in 1372. The cathedral was once again set on fire and many Sutherland men were hanged in the town square. After this, the feud quietened down as both sides were called away to fight against the English.
15th century and clan conflicts
In 1403 the
Battle of Tuiteam TarbhachThe Battle of Tuiteam Tarbhach was a Scottish clan battle in which the Mackays wiped out raiders from the Clan MacLeod of Lewis who were returning from an attack on Mackay land in Strathnaver. The Mackays caught up with the raiders on the north bank of the River Oykel some three miles west of...
was fought between Clan MacKay and
Clan MacLeod of LewisClan Macleod of The Lewes, commonly known as Clan MacLeod of Lewis, is a Highland Scottish clan, which at its height held extensive lands in the Western Isles and west coast of Scotland. From the 14th century up until the beginning of the 17th century there were two branches of Macleods: the...
. This battle was fought at Tuiteam-tarbhach in the south-west Sutherland, where it meets Ross. Angus MacKay of Strathnaver married the sister of the MacLeod of Lewis. MacLeod found that his sister had been mistreated, and on his way home he decided to despoil Strathnaver and Brae-Chat in Sutherland. In the ensuing battle, MacLeod was killed.
In 1411 the
Battle of DingwallThe Battle of Dingwall was a Scottish clan battle said to have taken place in the year 1411, in Dingwall in the Scottish Highlands. It was fought between the Clan Mackay against the Clan Donald.-Sir Robert Gordon:...
took place in which
Clan DonaldClan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
defeated Clan MacKay. The two clans afterwards fought together on the same side at the
Battle of HarlawThe Battle of Harlaw was a Scottish clan battle fought on 24 July 1411 just north of Inverurie in Aberdeenshire. It was one of a series of battles fought during the Middle Ages between the barons of northeast Scotland against those from the west coast....
and chief Angus Dubh MacKay married a daughter of Donald of the Isles. In 1425 Angus Dubh MacKay spoils Moray.
In 1426
Battle of HarpsdaleThe Battle of Harpsdale was a Scottish clan battle fought in 1426 at Achardale, about south of Thurso. The Clan Mackay had invaded Caithness from the west and Harpsdale was where the local clans of Gunn and Keith chose to make a stand...
took place where Chief Angus Dubh MacKay, with his son Neil, entered Caithness with hostile intent, and lays waste the land. The inhabitants of
CaithnessCaithness is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic local government area of Scotland. The name was used also for the earldom of Caithness and the Caithness constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . Boundaries are not identical in all contexts, but the Caithness area is...
assembled and fought Angus Dubh at Harpsdale, where there was great slaughter on both sides. Soon afterwards King James I came to
InvernessInverness is a city in the Scottish Highlands. It is the administrative centre for the Highland council area, and is regarded as the capital of the Highlands of Scotland...
, intending to pursue Angus Dow MacKay. Angus submitted himself to the King's mercy, and gave his son Neil as a pledge of his future obedience. The King accepted, and sent Neil MacKay to remain in captivity on the
Bass RockThe Bass Rock, or simply The Bass, , is an island in the outer part of the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland. It is approximately offshore, and north-east of North Berwick. It is a steep-sided volcanic rock, at its highest point, and is home to a large colony of gannets...
, in the Firth of Forth; he was afterwards called Neil Bhasse or Whasse.
In 1431 the
Battle of DrumnacoubThe Battle of Drumnacoub was a battle involving factions of the Clan Mackay fought in the far northwest of Scotland, some time between 1427 and 1433. It took place on a hill called Carn Fada at the southern end of the Kyle of Tongue, between Ben Loyal and the village of Tongue...
took place. Angus Dubh MacKay defeated Angus Moray near Tongue in Sutherland. Angus married Elizabeth, sister to
Domhnall of Islay, Lord of the IslesDonald, or properly, Dómhnall Íle , was the son and successor of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles and chief of Clan Donald. The Lordship of the Isles was based in and around the Scottish west-coast island of Islay, but under Domhnall's father had come to include many of the other islands off the...
. Her dowry was 100 fighting men from Lochaber. Their sons were known as the Abrach MacKays and inherited Elizabeth's coat of arms whose supporters were bears.
In 1438 a conflict known as the Sandside Chase took place: The men of Caithness were overthrown at Sandside Chase by Neil Bhasse MacKay after his release from the
Bass RockThe Bass Rock, or simply The Bass, , is an island in the outer part of the Firth of Forth in the east of Scotland. It is approximately offshore, and north-east of North Berwick. It is a steep-sided volcanic rock, at its highest point, and is home to a large colony of gannets...
. He skirmished with some of the inhabitants of that province at a place called Sanset, where he overthrew them with slaughter on either side. This conflict was called
Ruaig-hanset, that is the Chase at Sanset. Neil Bhasse died shortly afterwards.
In 1464 the Battle of Tannach took place, fought by
Clan KeithClan Keith is a Scottish clan associated with Aberdeenshire and Caithness.-Origins:It is said that a Scottish warrior slew the Danish General Camus at the legendary Battle of Barrie in 1010. For this, King Máel Coluim II of Scotland dipped three fingers into the blood of the slain and drew them...
, assisted by the MacKays, against
Clan GunnClan Gunn is a Scottish clan associated with northeastern Scotland, including Caithness and Sutherland as well as the Orkney Islands.The clan's origins stretch over the sea to Norway, and the Clan Gunn themselves claim descent from the legendary viking Sweyn Asleifsson, the progenitor of the clan,...
. The inhabitants of Caithness assembled an army and met the MacKays and Keiths at Blair-tannie in Caithness. There ensued a cruel fight, with slaughter on both sides. The Keiths and MacKays were victorious.
In 1486 the
Battle of TarbatThe Battle of Tarbat was a Scottish clan battle fought in the 1480s on the Tarbat peninsula, in Easter Ross. The Clan Ross cornered a raiding party of Clan Mackay near the village of Portmahomack and put many of them to the sword. The survivors sought sanctuary in the nearby church but the Rosses...
took place. The Clan Mackay and
Clan RossClan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan. The original chiefs of the clan were the original Earls of Ross.-Origins:Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan first named as such by King Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1160...
had long been at feud, again and again the Rosses had suffered molestation of their lands by their enemies and when at last, driven to desperation and thoroughly infuriated, they gathered their forces and marched against the MacKays, they were in the mood to teach them a severe lesson. The MacKays, with Angus MacKay of Strathnaver at their head, were defeated by the Rosses and sought shelter in the church of Tarbat where many were slain. The church was set on fire and Angus MacKay and many of his clansmen were burnt to ashes. This was followed by the
Battle of AuldicharishThe Battle of Aldy Charrish was a Scottish clan battle that took place on 11 July 1487...
: To take revenge on
Clan RossClan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan. The original chiefs of the clan were the original Earls of Ross.-Origins:Clan Ross is a Highland Scottish clan first named as such by King Malcolm IV of Scotland in 1160...
, chief Ian MacKay, helped by a force from
Clan SutherlandClan Sutherland is a Highland Scottish clan whose traditional territory is located in the region of Sutherland in northern highlands of Scotland and was one of the most powerful Scottish clans. The clan seat is at Dunrobin Castle, Sutherland...
, marched south invading the territory of Clan Ross and began laying waste to it. Chief Alistair Ross gathered his force of 2000 men and engaged in a long and desperate battle with the invading forces. In the end the battle went against the Rosses with the MacKays and Sutherlands gaining the upper hand. The Ross chief was killed along with many of his clan. In 1493 - The MacKays invade the Rosses again, and take much spoil.
16th century and clan conflicts
In 1505 the
Battle of AchnashellachThe Battle of Achnashellach was a Scottish clan battle said to have taken place in the year 1505, in the Scottish Highlands at Achnashellach. It was fought by the Clan Cameron against the Clan Mackay and the Clan Munro.-Contemporary evidence:...
is said to have taken place: Little is known of this battle which is often described as an obscure skirmish between
Clan CameronClan Cameron is a West Highland Scottish clan, with one main branch Lochiel, and numerous cadet branches. The Clan Cameron lands are in Lochaber and within their lands is the mountain Ben Nevis which is the highest mountain in the British Isles. The chief of the clan is customarily referred to as...
and Clan Mackay. It is said that the Mackays were defeated and William Munro of Foulis, chief of
Clan Munro-Origins:The main traditional origin of the clan is that the Munros came from Ireland and settled in Scotland in the 11th century and that they fought as mercenary soldiers under the Earl of Ross who defeated Viking invaders in Rosshire...
who assisted the Mackays, was killed.
In 1513 the
Battle of Flodden FieldThe Battle of Flodden or Flodden Field or occasionally Battle of Branxton was fought in the county of Northumberland in northern England on 9 September 1513, between an invading Scots army under King James IV and an English army commanded by the Earl of Surrey...
was fought during the
Anglo-Scottish WarsThe Anglo-Scottish Wars were a series of wars fought between England and Scotland during the sixteenth century.After the Wars of Scottish Independence, England and Scotland had fought several times during the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In most cases, one country had attempted to...
. John Riavach Mackay was killed. The clan chief of the Mackays, Aodh (Hugh) Mackay, was named by King
James IV of ScotlandJames IV was King of Scots from 11 June 1488 to his death. He is generally regarded as the most successful of the Stewart monarchs of Scotland, but his reign ended with the disastrous defeat at the Battle of Flodden Field, where he became the last monarch from not only Scotland, but also from all...
as Lord of Strathnaver when he was ordered to bring his men to fight at the battle.
In 1517 the
Battle of Torran DubhThe Battle of Torran Dubh also known as the Battle of Torran-dow was a Scottish clan battle that was fought between the Clan Mackay and Clan Sutherland, and their allies. The battle was fought in 1517 in Strathfleet in the Scottish Highlands....
took place. Clan Sutherland encountered John Mackay and his company at Torran Dubh, beside Rogart, in Strathfleet, where there ensued a fierce and cruel conflict and the Mackays were defeated. In 1522 Alexander Gordon (the
Earl of SutherlandEarl of Sutherland is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created circa 1230 for William de Moravia. The Earl of Sutherland is also the Chief of Clan Sutherland...
's eldest son) overthrew John Mackay of Strathnaver at Lairg, and forced him to submit himself to the Earl of Sutherland, to whom John Mackay gave a bond of
manrentManrent refers to a Scottish mid 15th century to the early 17th century type of contract, usually military in nature and involving Scottish clans...
and service. In 1528 the Mackays are associated with
Clan ForbesClan Forbes is a Lowland Scottish clan from Aberdeenshire, Scotland.-Origins:Concerning the origin of this Scottish clan, John of Forbes, the first upon record, seems to have been a man of importance in the time of William the Lion, and was the father of Fergus, from whom the clan are descended....
in the feuds of the latter.
In 1542 the
Battle of Alltan-BeathThe Battle of Alltan-Beath also known as the Battle of Ailtan-Beath was a Scottish clan battle said to have taken place in the year 1542 in the village of Knockarthur , in Sutherland, in the Scottish Highlands...
took place: Chief Donald Mackay of Strathnaver invaded and molested the lands of Clan Sutherland. He burned the village of Knockartoll and stole many goods from Strathbrora. Clan Sutherland and
Clan MurrayClan Murray is a Highland Scottish clan. The Murrays were a great and powerful clan whose lands and cadet houses were scattered throughout Scotland.- Origins of the Clan :...
, led by Hutcheon Murray of Abirscors with Gilbert Gordon of Garty, attacked the Mackays at Ailtan-Beath. After the battle the Mackays fled and much of the stolen booty was recovered. Donald Mackay was captured and imprisoned in
Foulis CastleFoulis Castle lies in the parish of Kiltearn, about 1.5 miles southwest of the village of Evanton in the Highland area of northern Scotland. The castle has been the seat of the Clan Munro for over eight hundred years. During the 11th century, the clan chief was given the castle and Foulis lands as...
, Ross by command of the Queen Regent.
In 1542
Battle of Solway MossThe Battle of Solway Moss took place on Solway Moss near the River Esk on the English side of the Anglo-Scottish Border in November 1542 between forces from England and Scotland.-Background:...
is fought against the English, where Iye Du Mackay was taken prisoner. In 1544 Mackay joins in the attack of Arran at
GlasgowGlasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
. In 1548 Mackay joins in the attack and capture of Haddington.
In 1554 or 1555 the Siege of
Borve Castle, SutherlandBorve Castle in Sutherland, Scottish Highlands is now a ruin. Formerly called the House of Burro. It was built in Kirtomy Bay near the hamlet of Farr....
, Iye Du Mackay imprisoned at Dumbarton Castle. This was followed by the
Battle of GarbharryThe Battle of Garbharry was a Scottish clan battle fought in the year 1555. It was the last battle to be fought between the Clan MacKay and Clan Sutherland...
, which was the last battle between the Mackays and forces of the Earl Sutherland.
In 1560 Clan Mackay join
Clan MacLeanClan Maclean is a Highland Scottish clan. They are one of the oldest clans in the Highlands and owned large tracts of land in Argyll as well as the Inner Hebrides. Many early MacLeans became famous for their honour, strength and courage in battle. They were involved in many clan skirmishes with...
and
Clan MacLeodClan MacLeod is a Highland Scottish clan associated with the Isle of Skye. There are two main branches of the clan: the Macleods of Harris and Dunvegan, whose chief is Macleod of Macleod, are known in Gaelic as Sìol Tormoid ; the Macleods of Lewis, whose chief is Macleod of The Lewes, are known in...
as part of the
GallowglassThe gallowglass or galloglass – from , gallóglach – were an elite class of mercenary warrior who came from Norse-Gaelic clans in the Hebrides and Highlands of Scotland between the mid 13th century and late 16th century...
, a mix of Scots and Vikings that became a ferocious mercenary army which fought for
Shane O'NeillSeán Ó Néill, anglicised Shane O'Neill , nicknamed 'Seán an díomais', was an Irish king of the O'Neill dynasty of Ulster in the mid 16th century. Shane O'Neill's career was marked by his ambition to be The Ó Néill Mór - Sovereign of the dominant Ó Néill Mór family of Tyrone... and thus head...
in
IrelandIreland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. In 1562 the
Battle of Corrichie took place where the Mackays support Mary, Queen of Scots against
George Gordon, 4th Earl of HuntlyGeorge Gordon, 4th Earl of Huntly was a Scottish nobleman.-Biography:He was the son of John Gordon, Lord Gordon, and Margaret Stewart, daughter of James IV. George Gordon inherited his earldom and estates in 1524 at age 10...
. In 1566 - Mackay and
Clan MacleodClan MacLeod is a Highland Scottish clan associated with the Isle of Skye. There are two main branches of the clan: the Macleods of Harris and Dunvegan, whose chief is Macleod of Macleod, are known in Gaelic as Sìol Tormoid ; the Macleods of Lewis, whose chief is Macleod of The Lewes, are known in...
of Assint burn Dornoch. In 1571 the Mackay and the Master of
CaithnessCaithness is a registration county, lieutenancy area and historic local government area of Scotland. The name was used also for the earldom of Caithness and the Caithness constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom . Boundaries are not identical in all contexts, but the Caithness area is...
burn Dornoch again.
In 1576 -
Battle of Dail-RiabhachThe Battle of Dail-Riabhach was a Scottish clan battle that took place in the year 1576. It was fought between members of the Highland Clan MacKay, with the involvement of John Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness, chief of the Clan Sinclair....
: Chief John Mackay and his brother Donald Mackay defeat their uncle Neil Mackay and take possession of Strathnaver. In 1585 Huistean Du Mackay is at the siege of Marle.
In 1586 the Battle of Allt Camhna and
Battle of LeckmelmThe Battle of Leckmelm was a Scottish clan battle that took place in 1586, in the Scottish Highlands. It was fought between the Clan Gunn against the Clan Sutherland, Clan Mackay and Clan MacLeod.-Background:...
take place and the Mackays won both battles. In 1588 Huistean Du joins the Earl of Sutherland, and marries his daughter the following year. In 1590 at Clynetradwell, near Brora: Donald Balloch Mackay heads a group of archers from Assynt, Strathnaver, Caithness and Orkney. They reach the Earl of Caithness in time to save him from defeat. (Balloch is a name for a birthmark or spot on his face).
Thirty Years' War
In 1612 Donald Mackay of Farr, captures the coiner Smith at Thurso after some sharp fighting. In 1616 -(April) - Donald Mackay goes to London with his uncle, Sir Robert
GordonClan Gordon, also known as the House of Gordon, is a Scottish clan. The chief of the clan was the powerful Earl of Huntly, now also Marquess of Huntly.-Origins:...
, and is knighted by James I and VI at Theobalds. In 1626 Sir Donald Mackay embarks 3600 men at Cromarty under Count Mansfeld for the
Thirty Years' WarThe Thirty Years' War was fought primarily in what is now Germany, and at various points involved most countries in Europe. It was one of the most destructive conflicts in European history....
in the service of
Christian IV of DenmarkChristian IV was the king of Denmark-Norway from 1588 until his death. With a reign of more than 59 years, he is the longest-reigning monarch of Denmark, and he is frequently remembered as one of the most popular, ambitious and proactive Danish kings, having initiated many reforms and projects...
and
Gustavus Adolphus of SwedenGustav II Adolf has been widely known in English by his Latinized name Gustavus Adolphus Magnus and variously in historical writings also as Gustavus, or Gustavus the Great, or Gustav Adolph the Great,...
, alongside their allies,
Clan Munro-Origins:The main traditional origin of the clan is that the Munros came from Ireland and settled in Scotland in the 11th century and that they fought as mercenary soldiers under the Earl of Ross who defeated Viking invaders in Rosshire...
and
Robert Munro, 18th Baron of FoulisColonel Robert Munro of Foulis , also known as the Black Baron, was traditionally the 18th Baron of Foulis in Scotland. He was a soldier of fortune, who served in Germany under the banners of Gustavus Adolphus, king of Sweden...
. The following year in 1627 Sir Donald holds the Pass of
OldenburgOldenburg is an independent city in Lower Saxony, Germany. It is situated in the western part of the state between the cities of Bremen and Groningen, Netherlands, at the Hunte river. It has a population of 160,279 which makes it the fourth biggest city in Lower Saxony after Hanover, Braunschweig...
against overwhelming odds with his regiment, and in the same year, while abroad, is created a Baronet of
Nova ScotiaNova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
by Charles I. The following year in 1628 (June 20) - Sir Donald Mackay created Baron Reay of
ReayReay is a village which has grown around Sandside Bay on the north coast of the Highland council area of Scotland. It is within the historic Parish of Reay and the historic county of Caithness....
in the Peerage of Scotland by Charles I. The following year in 1629 - Christian IV of
DenmarkDenmark is a Scandinavian country in Northern Europe. The countries of Denmark and Greenland, as well as the Faroe Islands, constitute the Kingdom of Denmark . It is the southernmost of the Nordic countries, southwest of Sweden and south of Norway, and bordered to the south by Germany. Denmark...
is succeeded by Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden as leader of the Protestant cause, and Lord Reay, having raised fresh troops in Scotland, takes service under the latter. The following year in 1630 - Lord Reay accompanies his regiment to Germany, and is present at the capture of
StettinSzczecin , is the capital city of the West Pomeranian Voivodeship in Poland. It is the country's seventh-largest city and the largest seaport in Poland on the Baltic Sea. As of June 2009 the population was 406,427....
, Damm, and Colberg. The following year in 1631 Lord Reay is empowered by Charles I to raise another force of 2000 men for service with Gustavus Adolphus. He quarrels with David
RamsayClan Ramsay is a Lowland Scottish clan of Anglo-Norman origin. The clan can be traced to the 12th century in Scotland.-Origins:A ram in the sea is said to have been an emblem on the seal of Ramsay Abbey in Huntingdon in the 11th century...
at the English Court and, having challenged him to a duel, both are imprisoned in the Tower of London to preserve the peace. During 1632 Gustavus is killed at the
Battle of LützenThe Battle of Lützen was one of the most decisive battles of the Thirty Years' War. It was a Protestant victory, but cost the life of one of the most important leaders of the Protestant alliance, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, which caused the Protestant campaign to lose direction.- Prelude to the...
and Reay is not repaid large sums of money due to him by Gustavus and by Charles I. He also has domestic troubles and has to sell some of his estates, especially in Orkney.
Civil War
In 1637 Mackay, Lord Reay transfers his estates to his eldest son John Mackay, the Master of Reay. The following year in 1638 The Marquis of Montrose and Lords Home, Boyd and Loudoun invite Lord Reay to meet them and others to consider the religious troubles of the time and sign the Covenant, which he does unwillingly, because of his long attachment to Charles I. In 1642 - Lord Reay goes to Denmark and commands the regiment of his son, Colonel Angus Mackay. In 1644, like Montrose, Reay again espouses the cause of King Charles I in the
English Civil WarThe English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, and brings arms and money by sea to Newcastle. He aids Lord Crawford for several months in the defence of the city against the Scots army. When the town is captured by General Leslie, Reay and Lord Crawford are sent as prisoners to
Edinburgh CastleEdinburgh Castle is a fortress which dominates the skyline of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. Human habitation of the site is dated back as far as the 9th century BC, although the nature of early settlement is unclear...
.
In 1645 following Montrose's victory at the
Battle of KilsythThe Battle of Kilsyth was an engagement of the Wars of the Three Kingdoms which took place on 15 August 1645 at Kilsyth. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the battle was another victory for Royalist forces over the Covenanters, and marked the end of William Baillie's pursuit of the...
, Reay is liberated. During the following year,1646 - Montrose, having been instructed by King Charles I to disband his forces and seek his own safety, writes to Reay advising him to do likewise. Montrose narrowly escapes from Angus to Norway, and Reay from Thurso to Denmark. In 1649 - Charles I executed at Whitehall on January 30. Reay dies soon afterwards at Bergen in Norway. His remains are sent home in a Danish frigate, and buried in the family vault at Kirkibol, Tongue. Neil Aberach falls at Thurso. John, 2nd Lord Reay, surprised and captured at Balveny Castle on the Spey, and imprisoned in Edinburgh Castle. Lady Reay effects his escape. The place of Lord Reay's death remains uncertain - some have stated that he died in Bergen, others have stated that he died in Copenhagen. There is no reference in Danish nor in Norwegian state papers of 1648-9 and the records of Bergen were destroyed in the fire of 1702. Reference source Dr. Ian Grimble.In 1651 the Clan Mackay are at the
Battle of WorcesterThe Battle of Worcester took place on 3 September 1651 at Worcester, England and was the final battle of the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell and the Parliamentarians defeated the Royalist, predominantly Scottish, forces of King Charles II...
. A company of Mackays was with the Duke of Hamilton at Worcester, England. They were led by Hugh Mackay, a nephew of General Hugh Mackay. They were used as a rear guard to allow the King and Prince Charles to escape. It was at this time that the Duke of Hamilton was mortally wounded. In 1654 - The Mackays spoil Sutherland in the rising under Middleton.
In 1680 George Mackay, 3rd Lord Reay, succeeds his grandfather, and Sir George Munro of Culrain is his guardian. In 1689, 100 men of Clan Mackay occupied
Brahan CastleBrahan Castle was situated south-west of Dingwall, in Easter Ross, Scotland. The castle belonged to the Earls of Seaforth, chiefs of the Clan Mackenzie, who dominated the area.-History:...
to watch for movements of the Jacobite MacKenzies. During the same year General Hugh Mackay of Scourie, who had served with the Scots Brigade in Holland, is made Commander-in-Chief in Scotland by William, Prince of Orange; he is defeated at
Battle of Killiecrankie-References:*Reid, Stuart, The Battle of Kiellliecrankkie -External links:* *...
but wins the campaign against Graham of Claverhouse, who was killed at the battle. In 1692 General Hugh Mackay, having returned to Holland to aid the Dutch in their conflict with the French under Louis XIV, falls at Steinkirk. Gen. Hugh Mackay, on being ordered to hold an untenable position, personally led his men against odds of 5 to 1 and fell at the head of his regiment, but the Mackays were victorious. In 1697 his nephew, Aeneas Mackay, a son of the 2nd Lord Reay, is now Commander of the Mackay Regiment in the Dutch service. Wounded and worn out by campaigning, he dies at Bath at the age of 30 and is buried in the chancel of Bath Abbey, where there is a tablet to his memory. His widow returns to her native Holland with his only son, Donald, who grows up to command his father's regiment and become the founder of the branch of the Clan to which the Reay title passed in 1875.
Jacobite uprisings
In 1715 the Clan Mackay are anti-Jacobite, and help to restrain Mackenzie, the Earl of Seaforth during the initial early
Jacobite risingThe Jacobite Risings were a series of uprisings, rebellions, and wars in Great Britain and Ireland occurring between 1688 and 1746. The uprisings were aimed at returning James VII of Scotland and II of England, and later his descendants of the House of Stuart, to the throne after he was deposed by...
. The Mackays take the side of King George I of the United Kingdom and defend
Inverness CastleInverness Castle sits on a cliff overlooking the River Ness, in Inverness, Scotland. The red sand stone structure evident today was built in 1836 by architect William Burn. It is built on the site of an 11th century defensive structure. Today, it houses Inverness Sheriff Court. There has been a...
against the Jacobites. In 1719 a detachment of men from Clan Mackay fight under Ensign Mackay alongside men from
Clan Munro-Origins:The main traditional origin of the clan is that the Munros came from Ireland and settled in Scotland in the 11th century and that they fought as mercenary soldiers under the Earl of Ross who defeated Viking invaders in Rosshire...
at the
Battle of Glen ShielThe Battle of Glen Shiel was a battle in Glen Shiel, in the West Highlands of Scotland on 10 June 1719, between British government troops and an alliance of Jacobites and Spaniards, resulting in a victory for the government forces. It was the last close engagement of British and foreign troops on...
, where they defeat the Jacobites.
In 1745 the Clan Mackay again support the British government with a force of over 800, which later became the famous "Mackay Regiment", which went on to success in Ireland later in 1795. Historian Dr. Ian Grimble outlines that the Mackays in Sutherland perceived that Prince Charles was stirring trouble that would bring disaster to the Highlands, and did whatever was in their power to oppose the Prince: for instance they successfully waylaid a vessel taking supplies to the Prince and the Jacobites. In 1746 the Mackays Regiment along with Louden's Regiment help hold Sutherland and Caithness for the British Crown. In the same year the Mackays intercept and capture, at Tongue, gold sent from France to the Jacobite leader Prince Charlie, and also captured
George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of CromartieGeorge Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie succeeded his father John, the 2nd earl, in February 1731. In 1745, he joined Charles Edward Stuart and he served with the Jacobites until April 1746 when he was taken prisoner in Sutherland after the Battle of Littleferry...
at
Dunrobin CastleDunrobin Castle is a stately home in Sutherland, in the Highland area of Scotland. It is the seat of the Countess of Sutherland and the Clan Sutherland. It is located north of Golspie, and approximately south of Brora, on the Dornoch Firth close to the A9 road. Nearby Dunrobin Castle railway...
after the Battle of Littleferry.
Colonial Wars
In 1742 at
Fort FredricaFort Frederica National Monument, on St. Simons Island, Georgia, preserves the archaeological remnants of a fort and town built by James Oglethorpe between 1736 and 1748 to protect the southern boundary of the British colony of Georgia from Spanish raids. About 630 British troops were stationed at...
, St. Simons Island, Georgia, USA, a group of Highlanders led by Charles Mackay ambush invading Spanish forces. In 1758 - During the
French and Indian WarThe French and Indian War is the common American name for the war between Great Britain and France in North America from 1754 to 1763. In 1756, the war erupted into the world-wide conflict known as the Seven Years' War and thus came to be regarded as the North American theater of that war...
: As a member of the 42nd Royal Highland Regiment, "The Black Watch", in 1758, Piper William Mackay led the ill-fated charge on the French
Fort TiconderogaFort Ticonderoga, formerly Fort Carillon, is a large 18th-century fort built by the Canadians and the French at a narrows near the south end of Lake Champlain in upstate New York in the United States...
, in present-day New York State. In 1778 - Rob Donn, the Mackay poet, dies. In 1795 the Reay Fencibles are embodied. In 1798 the Reay Fencibles fight at the
Battle of Tara HillThe Battle of Tara Hill was fought on the evening of 26 May 1798 between British forces and Irish rebels involved in the Irish Rebellion of 1798, resulting in a heavy defeat for the rebels and the end of the rebellion in County Meath.-Background:...
, near Dublin.
Later clansmen
In 1802 the Reay Fencibles regiment was disbanded at Stirling. In 1806 the "Mackay's Society" is founded in Glasgow. In 1815 at the
Battle of WaterlooThe Battle of Waterloo was fought on Sunday 18 June 1815 near Waterloo in present-day Belgium, then part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands...
, the 79th Foot
Seaforth HighlandersThe Seaforth Highlanders was a historic regiment of the British Army associated with large areas of the northern Highlands of Scotland. The Seaforth Highlanders have varied in size from two battalions to seventeen battalions during the Great War...
formed a square upon being attacked by French Cavalry. Piper Kenneth Mackay, showing no fear, marched out of the square and plays the tune "War or Peace" (Cogadh No Sith). Kenneth was presented with a set of Silver Pipes by the King's own hand for his bravery. In 1815 - 1818 - The
Highland ClearancesThe Highland Clearances were forced displacements of the population of the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. They led to mass emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands, and the North American colonies...
began to take effect on the Mackay lands, by which the people were removed to make room for sheep. This was because in 1829 the Reay estate is sold to the Countess of Sutherland by Eric, 7th Lord Reay.
In 1865 there was an attack on the fortification of Sercunderbah in India. The mutineers were the 2nd Battalion of Punjabis, the only Sikh regiment to mutiny.
David MackayDavid MacKay VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross , the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to United Kingdom and Commonwealth forces.-Life:...
won the
Victoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
by taking the colours of the Punjabis. Later in the day David was shot while attacking a second fort of Shah Neijeef. He was returned to Britain to recover.
In 1875 on the death of Eric Mackay, 9th Lord Reay, who was unmarried, the title passed to the branch of the family resident in Holland and descended from John Mackay, 2nd Lord Reay. Æneas Mackay, a Baron of the Netherlands, Vice President of the Council of State and holder of the Cross of the Order of the Netherlands, became 10th Lord Reay. He died in 1876. His son, Donald James Mackay, succeeded as 11th Lord Reay, left Holland and was made a Peer of the United Kingdom as Baron Reay of Durness (8 October 1881) with a seat in the House of Lords. He was appointed Governor of Bombay (1885–90) and Under-Secretary of State for India (1894–95) and was Lord Lieutenant of Roxburghshire. In 1900 -
South AfricaThe Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
,
L/Cpl. John Frederick MacKayLieutenant-Colonel John Frederick MacKay VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
serving with the Gordon Highlanders at the battle of Crow’s Nest Hill, North Johannesburg, wins the highest award, the
Victoria CrossThe Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
.
Castles
- Varrich Castle
Castle Varrich is located in the far north of the Scottish highlands near to the village of Tongue, Highland, Scotland. The castle, known as Caisteal Bharraich in the Gaelic language, on a local high point of rock, overlooking both the Kyle of Tongue and the village of Tongue...
was the ancient seat of the chief of Clan Mackay but the chief later moved to Tongue House.
- Borve Castle, Sutherland
Borve Castle in Sutherland, Scottish Highlands is now a ruin. Formerly called the House of Burro. It was built in Kirtomy Bay near the hamlet of Farr....
was used by the Clan Mackay as an outpost for raiding other clans.
Chiefs
- The current chief of Clan Mackay is Hugh Mackay, 14th Lord Reay
Hugh William Mackay, 14th Lord Reay, Baron Mackay is British politician and Conservative member of the House of Lords. He is the only Lord of Parliament to sit in the House of Lords.He was educated at Eton College and Christ Church, Oxford....
. Also BaronBaron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
Mackay van OphemertOphemert is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is a part of the municipality of Neerijnen, and lies about 5 km south of Tiel.Ophemert was a separate municipality between 1818 and 1978, when it was merged with Neerijnen....
and ZennewijnenZennewijnen is a village in the Dutch province of Gelderland. It is a part of the municipality of Tiel, and lies about 3 km south of Tiel....
, of the NetherlandsThe Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
. Also Baronet of Strathnaver
External links