Clan MacKay
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The Mackays descended from the Royal House of Moray through the line of Morgund of Pluscarden and were originally known as Clan Morgan. The clansmen were removed to Sutherland where they rose to a powerful position, at one time owning lands from Drimholisten to Kylescue. Their later title of MacKay comes from a chief so named living at the time of David II. The first record of the name was in 1326 when Gilchrist M'ay, progenitor of the Mackays of Ugadale, made a payment to the Constable of Tarbert.
The Mackays supported Bruce and fought with him at Bannockburn and by 1427 the chief, Angus Dubh Mackay was described as leader of "4 000 Strathnaver men".
Their fortunes fluctuated over the centuries and many bitter feuds ensued with the Sutherlands and Rosses.
In the troubles of the 17th and 18th centuries the Mackays supported the Hanovarian forces against the Jacobites and helped secure the far north for the government.
The Mackays of Strathnaver are especially remembered for the famous "Mackay Regiment" raised for the service of the Dutch and Swedish crowns during the 17th century. As a result of this many clansmen settled in Holland and Sweden and gave rise to a number of noble families there. In 1628, Sir Donald Mackay was raised to the peerage of Lord Reay by Charles I. His grandson, Colonel Aenean Mackay of the Scotch-Dutch Brigade, married the heiress of the Baron van Haefton.
The Mackays suffered badly in the Strathnaver clearances between 1815 and 1818 and finally in 1829 the Reay estate was sold to the Sutherland family and in 1875 the chiefship passed to Baron Mackay van Ophermett who became 10th Lord Reay. His nephew Baron Aeneas Mackay, prime minister of the Netherlands was the great grandfather of the present chief.
"The sportsman now roams o'er the Sutherland hills And down where the Naver runs clear; And the land a brave race had for centuries owned Is now trod by the sheep and the deer. The halls, where our ancestors first saw the light, Now blackened in ruins they lie. And the moss-covered cairns are all that remain Of the once pleasant homes of MacKay. Happy homes by an alien's base mandate o'erthrown Tender maidens and brave stalwart men Were ruthlessly scattered like leaves in a gale Far away from their dear native glen. Brave clansmen who fought in fair liberty's cause In the lowlands of Holland they lie. For bravest in battle and second to none Has aye been the Clan of MacKay Not yet are they silenced through peaceful they lie, And though far from the green mountain said, They meet in the City of famous renown On the banks of the dark flowing Clyde, Where hearts still undaunted and beating as true As when under a northern sky They grasped their claymores when the slogan they heard And followed the flag of MacKay. Unflinching they bore the proud ensign aloft When their foemen the penalty paid; And the same noble spirit inspires them to-day Their poor broken clansmen to aid. The aged and weak they have sworn to protect By the "Strong Hand" and kind watchful eye. For faithful in friendship and valiant in war Has aye been the Clan of MacKay. Then flock to the standard and join the roll call! Once more the banner's unfurled The slogan's been sounded, and kinship been claimed By clansmen all over the world. Exiled or at home, love of country and clan Are feelings we'll never let die; Defy and defend, stand true to the end, And honour the name of MacKay." - By Elizabeth MacKay Bridge of Allan 1889 |