Unleash your inner tartan: Clan MacKay

Since creating our new Clan Pages I have developed a whole new love of researching the tumultuous and intricate histories of each individual clan. Today I take a look at the dramatic background of one of the Highlands most powerful clans - The MacKays.

Our story of the MacKay family begins in the 13th Century with the birth of Iye MacKay, the first Chieftain of Clan MacKay. The MacKays spent the next century creating a strong reputation for their clan and by the 14th Century they owned an area of land stretching from Cape Wrath to Caithness, otherwise known as Strathnaver, in the North Highlands of Scotland.

While the MacKay's had many clans that they often clashed with, including Ross, Gunn, Donald and Sinclair, they did not fight with them nearly as much as they wrestled with the Sutherlands. Theirs was a relationship that lasted for over four centuries, and almost never positive relations. However, apparently the Sutherlands did once fight alongside the MacKays for the Battle of Aldy Charrish, but this fact has been disputed by historian Angus MacKay who believes the Sutherlands could not have fought against the Ross' as the Earl of Sutherland was married to the daughter of the Ross chief. Nonetheless, the feud finally came to an end after the Highland Clearances, and unfortunately the MacKays did not come out on top. Of course the MacKays also had allied clans, but these stories aren't nearly as exciting.

Angus Du MacKay, 7th of Strathnaver, former chief of Clan MacKay and direct descendant of Iye MacKay, married a woman who was the sister of Donald of the Isles and granddaughter of Robert II of Scotland. This showed how important Clan MacKay had become at this point in history. Another important milestone for the Clan was in 1628 when King Charles I created the title of Lord Reay, which is still used today by the present Chief of Clan MacKay.

The MacKays fought in many different battles, some just against their enemies and some to fight for causes they believed in. One major cause being the Jacobite Rising with Clan MacKay set dead against the Jacobites and helping to protect Inverness Castle during the risings. They also fought in Battles during both Risings, the first at the Battle of Glen Shiel in 1719 and again at the Battle of Littleferry in 1746, successfully defeating the Jacobites each time.

The Highland Clearances had a huge impact on Clan MacKay, although they started in 1750 they did not affect the MacKay family until 1815. The MacKays were removed from their lands to make room for sheep and as a result the direct line of the family died out and they were eventually forced to sell their Reay estate and hand over the remainder of their lands to the Sutherlands in 1829. Those pesky Sutherlands again!

A bold clan needs a bold tartan. Shop the MacKay clan woven tartan scarf here - a timeless and stylish tartan made to order just for you.

We hope you've enjoyed our little history lesson on Clan MacKay, if you have any of your own stories about the MacKay family we would love to hear from you, so send them over to us! While you are waiting on our next MacKay blog post installment why not check out the Clan Page and discover the multitude of things we can make in the MacKay Ancient, Modern, Weathered and Blue tartans!