Every month we choose a Clan to celebrate and for February we were delighted to focus on the Marvellous Mackays! We received some fantastic stories throughout the month from members of the clan all around the world and we've put together our favourites here to share with you.
Sandra Mackay
Sandra Mackay is president of the Clan Mackay Society and was kind enough to send us the fascinating Mackay outtakes below. We were also lucky enough to have a chat with Sandra, where she told us more about the society, how she first became involved and what her responsibilities include. You can read her interview here.
This photograph was taken at the presentation to Lord Reay at the Society Annual Dinner by President of the Clan Mackay North America, John Grogan. Photograph left to right: Hon Elizabeth Fairbairn (mother to the amazing Charlotte Fairbairn who you can meet further down this blog), Mrs Grogan, Mrs McCoy, wife of VP Doug McCoy, Lord and Lady Reay, John Grogan.
The Council were invited to Lord Reay's home in Cumbria and saw the box hedge that his father had challenged his gardener to create in the outline of the Clan Mackay crest. A pretty fantastic effort and we can't quite imagine how long it took to trim and shape!
Clan MacKay are a truly international clan with members and artefacts found all around the world and there is no better example of this than the above tea set, which was discovered in a vintage shop in Johannesburg, back in 2019. Although there are no clear findings of the origins, there is a stamp on the bottom of the set saying "This design is approved by Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs" which suggests that it is of some importance! Sandra Mackay informed us that any help on the origin would be gratefully received, maybe a Clan MacKay member out there could hold the answer?
These are two watercolours, tongue painted by a Council Member, Iain Mackay. That's quite a talent to have! The first picture is of Castle Varrich, located in the Highlands and is the historic seat of Clan Mackay. The second painting is Strathnaver Museum at the heart of Mackay Country, which we recently explored as part of our clan of the month celebrations, learning all about the world-famous Mackay Centre, their refurbishment project and how you can visit. You can read more about this in our Story of Strathnaver Museum blog.
Hannah MacKay Tait
We connected with Hannah on Instagram at the beginning of our month dedicated to MacKay, and we just had to ask her some questions about her heritage and her job as a tour guide within Edinburgh. Hannah specialises in the LGBTQ+ history of Edinburgh, however she is able to take her guests wherever they desire in Scotland.
What first inspired you to become a Tour Guide?
I've always been really interested in history and felt very connected to my Scottish'ness. After university I worked in hospitality, and I loved meeting people from all over the world and playing a small part in their experience of my city. When I realised I could become a tour guide and blend all these different passions into one job, it was obvious that it was the one for me!
Where is your favourite place in Scotland to tour?
I love showing people anywhere in Scotland, but going to the northwest Highlands is always a particular treat for me. The landscapes are so spectacular – they take my breath away, so it's a joy to share that with visitors.
Why did you choose the capital city of Edinburgh as a base?
Edinburgh is my hometown, so it was a natural choice. I studied in Glasgow (another of my favourite cities in the world) but Edinburgh was calling me home after graduation. Everywhere you turn there's something beautiful, and I love having so many wild places to explore in the city. I've appreciated places like Holyrood Park and Blackford Hill even more this past year.
Do you have any interesting stories/stand out moments from your career as a tour guide?
I had a tour a few years ago with a family where a couple renewed their wedding vows when we visited Inveraray Castle – that was a really lovely thing to be a part of! I love all my tours because it's different every single time, but I especially enjoy getting to spend a few days with the same group and getting to know people a bit better.
What do you love most about Scotland?
This is such a difficult question; I could talk for days about how much I love Scotland! For me, the landscape and the architecture are big factors. There's so much beauty everywhere you look. The people are another huge part of it – Scotland is a really welcoming place. We're proud of being Scottish, and I think it makes us want to show it off to people and give them a great experience here.
You grew up in Edinburgh, but did you celebrate your Scottish Heritage growing up? And if so, how?
Both of my parents are Scottish, so it was always a part of my childhood. There was definitely a Scottish aspect to school as well – we learned Scottish country dances in PE and Scots poetry for Burns' Night. My mum grew up in Aberdeenshire and her parents were both from Sutherland, so we spent a lot of time up north in the holidays. I always found it so magical being out in the mountains and forests up there, and I think it developed this deep connection to the Scottish landscape that I still feel today.
How are you connected to Clan MacKay?
Mackay is my mum's maiden name, which was passed down to me as a middle name. Her father, John, was from Strath Halladale in Sutherland, where you'll find plenty of Mackays! Some of my mum's Mackay cousins still croft up there.
What does it mean to you to be a member of Clan MacKay?
My granda was proud of his name, and spending time up north with him made me feel a sense of connection to the land he came from too. When I was wee, I remember being shown around a graveyard in Golspie (where my granny Marion was from) and seeing how many of the names were Mackays. Although I'm from Edinburgh myself, it's nice knowing that there are roots and common ancestors up north, and perhaps the name helps me feel that a little more deeply.
What is your favourite tartan?
Well, I have to say Mackay, don't I? My granda wore the Mackay ancient for his kilt so I have a soft spot for that one, but I wear the Mackay modern for work because I like the more muted colours. On a purely aesthetic level, I also really love the Royal Stuart – it's so classic and such a beautiful blend of colours.
MacKay and Sons
MacKay and Sons is a house removal company in Australia, and they do exactly what it says on the tin, they pick up and move people's houses! We were lucky enough to chat Robbie MacKay the third generation of MacKay men to work within the company, he tells us how he first became involved in the business, as well as filling us in on his Clan MacKay roots.
House removal is a very niche industry, can you tell us how you first became involved?
My grandad John Mackay started house removals when he was in his 20s creating a business which he then passed down to my father and later to myself. So I was born and bred into the industry!
And what do you love most about it?
Where to start? The different challenges of every job, the new locations, the job satisfaction, the comradery with the boys, the thrill of driving a massive oversize building down the road, the equipment and of course the trucks.
Do you have any interesting stories from your time moving houses?
Plenty… over the years you see all kinds of jobs and have plenty of “interesting” moments. There has been more than one occasion where you just stand back and say “wow” what a job but you always remember the best and worst jobs. The best would either be the long hauls (over,1000 km) or the really large buildings and the worst being the ones where you get bogged for days or winched up mountains.
What does it mean to you to be a part of Clan Mackay?
I’m very proud of my family and my clan. I have our family crest and our story of origin hanging in my office and always have. I think running a family business helps me emphasize with our history.
Have you ever done any research into your Mackay ancestors?
Short answer yes, the long answer is I’ve spent a LOT of time researching my ancestors. I’m very much a history buff and take great pride in my origins. I researched them first when at school as part of a school project which I found very interesting, but it wasn’t until later in life I got passionate about it and now having children of my own I'd like to pass that knowledge onto them.
Can you tell us about the Mackay line in your family? Do you have any interesting Clan Mackay family stories to tell our readers?
I pride my self on the contributions my late grandfather added to the clan in becoming the first Mackay clan member to own and run a House Removal company. Just another notch in the old belt for the Mackay clan!
Although you are not Scottish, having been born in Australia, are there any aspects of Scottish culture that you incorporate into your life?
I do love a wee bit of Scotch whisky after a hard week’s work.
What is your favourite tartan?
Of course, The clan Mackay black and blue (Clanmorgan)! Manu forti!
Charlotte Fairbairn
As part of our Clan Mackay celebrations, our MD Anna was delighted to sit down and chat to Charlotte Fairbairn on our episode of Anna'nother thing about tartan. Charlotte is the author of the book "The Real Mackays", which provides a fascinating insight into the history of Clan Mackay and is certainly worth a read if you have any associations with the famous family! Charlotte also has a very personal connection to the clan with her cousin being Aeneas Mackay, 15th Lord Reay and current clan chief.
Even though our celebrations of Clan Mackay for our clan of the month are coming to an end, our love for this marvellous clan will never end. We always love to hear customer clan stories, so if you have any Mackay tales that you want to share with us, please get in touch!
