Clan Mackay
Clan Mackay (/məˈkaɪ/ mə-KY; Scottish Gaelic: Clann Mhic Aoidh [ˈkʰl̪ˠãũn̪ˠ vĩçˈkʲɤj]) is an ancient and once-powerful Highland Scottish clan from the far North of the Scottish Highlands, but with roots in the old Kingdom of Moray.
| Clan Mackay | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Mac Aoidh/Clann Mhic Aoidh or Sìol Mhorgain | |||
Crest: A dagger held erect | |||
| Motto | Manu forti (With a strong hand) | ||
| War cry | Bratach Bhan Chlann Aoidh! | ||
| Profile | |||
| Region | Highland | ||
| District | Strathnaver | ||
| Plant badge | Bulrush | ||
| Pipe music | Bratach Bhan Chlann Aoidh (The White Banner of MacKay) | ||
| Chief | |||
| Æneas Simon Mackay | |||
| 15th Lord Reay (Morair Maghrath) | |||
| Historic seat | Castle Varrich | ||
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They supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century. In the centuries that followed they were anti-Jacobite. The territory of the Clan Mackay consisted of the parishes of Farr, Tongue, Durness and Eddrachillis, and was known as Strathnaver, in the north-west of the county of Sutherland. However, it was not until 1829 that Strathnaver was considered part of Sutherland when the chief sold his lands to the Earls of Sutherland and the Highland Clearances then had dire consequences for the clan.
In the 17th century the Mackay chief's territory had extended to the east to include the parish of Reay in the west of the neighbouring county of Caithness. The chief of the clan is Lord Reay and the lands of Strathnaver later became known as the Reay Country.