Huistean Du Mackay, 13th of Strathnaver facts for kids
Huistean Du Mackay (also known as Hugh Mackay), who was the 13th of Strathnaver (died 1614), was an important leader, called a chief, of Clan Mackay. This was a Highland Scottish clan from the far north of Scotland.
Huistean Mackay was the oldest son from his father's second marriage. His father was Iye Du Mackay, 12th of Strathnaver. Huistean's mother was Christian, who was the daughter of John Sinclair. Huistean's father died in 1572 when Huistean was only eleven years old.
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A Big Feud in the North: Sutherland and Caithness
In the late 1500s, two powerful families in northern Scotland were in a deadly fight, called a feud. These were the Earl of Sutherland, Alexander Gordon (the chief of Clan Sutherland), and George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness (the chief of Clan Sinclair).
The Earl of Sutherland had help from his relative, George Gordon, 5th Earl of Huntly, whose sister the Earl of Sutherland had married. Huistean Mackay was caught between these two powerful sides. His own clan, the Mackays, was also divided.
Who Was the Real Mackay Chief?
There was a disagreement within Clan Mackay about who should be the chief. Some people thought John Beg Mackay and Donald Balloch Mackay, who were from Huistean's father's first marriage, should be chief. However, that first marriage wasn't considered proper by church rules. Others supported Huistean Mackay.
When Huistean officially took control of his lands, he gave some land at Scourie to Donald Balloch Mackay. This helped settle the dispute, but the two parts of the family still weren't fully united.
Mackay's Changing Alliances
Huistean Mackay and his younger brother, William Mackay, first supported George Sinclair, the Earl of Caithness. Huistean had even lived at Castle Sinclair Girnigoe when he was younger.
Meanwhile, another part of the Mackays, called the Aberach Mackays, were very independent. The Earl of Caithness encouraged them to attack John Beg Mackay, claiming he was disloyal to Huistean. In 1579, the Aberach Mackays and the MacLeods of Assynt attacked John Beg Mackay, killing him and others. The chief of Clan Matheson barely escaped.
This event split Huistean Mackay's followers. Some supported the Robson Gunns and Mathesons, while others were with the MacLeods of Assynt and the Aberach Mackays. Huistean chose to oppose the Aberachs. The Aberach Mackays then joined forces with the Earl of Sutherland.
Battles and Betrayals
Even with some Mackays joining the other side, Huistean Mackay and the Earl of Caithness were a strong team against the Earl of Sutherland.
By 1585, the Earl of Sutherland and the Earl of Huntly had the support of the Aberach Mackays and the MacLeods of Assynt. On the other side were George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness, Huistean Mackay, and the Robson Gunns.
In 1585, the Gordons tried to break up the alliance between Sinclair, Mackay, and the Gunns. They offered Sinclair a marriage to Huntly's sister if he would destroy the Gunns. At a second meeting, Huistean Mackay refused this plan, but the Earl of Caithness agreed to attack the Gunns.
In 1586, the forces of Caithness and Sutherland chased the Gunns into the hills. By chance, William Mackay (Huistean's brother) was returning from a raid with stolen cattle. He met the Earl of Sutherland's men, and a fight broke out. William Mackay's men then found the Gunns, who were retreating from the Sinclairs. Together, the Mackays and Gunns attacked the Sinclairs, winning the Battle of Allt Camhna and killing their leader, Henry Sinclair.
After this, Huistean Du Mackay, who had been at Castle Sinclair Girnigoe, had to quickly escape back to Strathnaver. The Gunns, realizing the Mackays couldn't protect them, went to Ross-shire. There, they were defeated at the Battle of Leckmelm by the Aberach Mackays, MacLeods, and Sutherlands.
New Alliances and More Fighting
The new alliance between the Earl of Sutherland and the Earl of Caithness didn't last long. They were soon fighting again. In 1587, the Earl of Caithness, with Huistean Du Mackay's help, marched into Sutherland. The Earl of Sutherland had allies like Mackintosh and Munro.
The Earl of Sutherland tried to convince Huistean Mackay to leave the Earl of Caithness. The Earl of Sutherland also met with the Earl of Caithness, and they made a deal that left Mackay out. When Huistean heard this, he marched his men back to Strathnaver, ending his alliance with Caithness.
In December 1589, Huistean Mackay married Lady Jane Gordon, the daughter of the Earl of Sutherland. With Mackay's support, the Earl of Sutherland then attacked Caithness. They reached the walls of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe. The castle was too strong to capture without cannons, so they attacked and looted the town of Wick instead. The Sinclair family never had the same power in northern politics after this.
The fighting continued for many years. In 1601, the Earl of Caithness's army faced the Earl of Sutherland's army, which included Huistean Mackay. The Caithness men retreated without a fight in what was called the Stand-off at Bengrime.
A historian from that time, Sir Robert Gordon, wrote about Huistean Du Mackay's bravery in one of these battles:
Mackay was the bravest of all, daring to cross the water between him and the enemy with just a few gentlemen. Even though it was dangerous, the Sutherland men were too ashamed to leave him, as he fought so bravely and with such courage.
Later Life and Family
Huistean Du Mackay's first marriage was to Lady Elizabeth Sinclair, who was the daughter of George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness. They later divorced, but they had one daughter named Christina. She married John Mackintosh.
Huistean then married Lady Jane Gordon, the daughter of Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland. With her, he had two sons and two daughters:
- Donald Mackay, 1st Lord Reay, who became the next chief of the Clan Mackay.
- John Mackay, who started the Mackays of Strathy and Skerray.
- Annas Mackay, who married John Sinclair.
- Mary Mackay, who married Sir Hector Munro, 1st Baronet, the chief of the Clan Munro.
Huistean Du Mackay died on September 2, 1614, in Tongue. His oldest son became the new chief.
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