Lord Reay facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lord Reay
Azure on a chevron Or between three bears' heads couped Argent muzzled Gules a roebuck's head erased between two hands grasping daggers the points turned inwards all Proper
Creation date	1628
Peerage	Peerage of Scotland
First holder	Donald Mackay, 1st Lord Reay
Present holder	Aeneas Simon Mackay, 15th Lord Reay
Heir apparent	Alexander Shimi Markus Mackay, Master of Reay
Subsidiary titles	Baron Reay
Former seat(s)	Tongue House Castle Varrich
Motto	Motto of Clan Mackay: Manu Forti (With a strong hand)

Lord Reay (pronounced "ray") is a special title in Scotland. It's part of the Peerage of Scotland, which is like a list of important noble families. The person holding this title is also the traditional leader, or Clan Chief, of Clan Mackay. Their family lands were once in a place called Strathnaver and northwest Sutherland, known as the Reay Country. These lands were sold a long time ago. Interestingly, "Lord Reay" also refers to a legendary magician in Caithness folklore!

History of the Lord Reay Title

The title of Lord Reay was first created in 1628. It was given to a soldier named Sir Donald Mackay. He had already been made a Baronet (another type of noble title) the year before.

Early Lords Reay

Sir Donald Mackay became the first Lord Reay. His son, the second Lord, took over after him. This second Lord fought for the King's side during the English Civil War. Over time, the title passed down through the family.

Changes in the Family Line

When the ninth Lord Reay passed away, the main family line ended. The title then went to his relative, the tenth Lord. This tenth Lord was a Dutch citizen and even served as a government minister in the Netherlands.

His son, the eleventh Lord, became a British citizen in 1877. Four years later, he received another title: Baron Reay in the Peerage of the United Kingdom. This Lord Reay held many important jobs. He was the Governor of Bombay (a city in India), a junior minister for India, and a high-ranking official in Scotland.

Recent Lords Reay

When the eleventh Lord Reay died, his UK Barony title ended. However, his other titles went to his cousin, the twelfth Lord. This twelfth Lord was also a Dutch citizen.

His son, the thirteenth Lord, became a British citizen in 1938. He later served in the House of Lords, which is part of the UK Parliament. His only son, the fourteenth Lord, was a member of the European Parliament. He also worked in the UK government under Prime Ministers Margaret Thatcher and John Major. He was one of the few hereditary peers (nobles who inherit their titles) allowed to stay in the House of Lords after a new law in 1999.

As of 2019, the current holder of the title is the fifteenth Lord Reay, Aeneas Simon Mackay. He was also elected to serve in the House of Lords in 2019.

The family's main home is now Ophemert Castle in the Netherlands.

Lords Reay (1628)

Here is a list of the people who have held the title of Lord Reay since it was created:

• Donald Mackay, 1st Lord Reay (1591–1649)
• John Mackay, 2nd Lord Reay (c. 1612-c. 1680/1681)
• George Mackay, 3rd Lord Reay (1678–1748)
• Donald Mackay, 4th Lord Reay (died 1761)
• George Mackay, 5th Lord Reay (c. 1735–1768)
• Hugh Mackay, 6th Lord Reay (died 1797)
• Eric Mackay, 7th Lord Reay (1773–1847)
• Alexander Mackay, 8th Lord Reay (1775–1863)
• Eric Mackay, 9th Lord Reay (1813–1875)
• Aeneas Mackay, 10th Lord Reay (1806–1876)
• Donald James Mackay, 11th Lord Reay (1839–1921)
• Eric Mackay, 12th Lord Reay (1870–1921)
• Aeneas Alexander Mackay, 13th Lord Reay (1905–1963)
• Hugh William Mackay, 14th Lord Reay (1937–2013)
• Aeneas Simon Mackay, 15th Lord Reay (b. 1965)

The person expected to inherit the title next is the current Lord's son, the Hon. Alexander Shimi Markus Mackay, Master of Reay (born 2010).

Lord Reay in Caithness Folklore

In the old stories and legends of Caithness, a part of the Scottish Highlands, Lord Reay is known as a powerful magician. The story says he once had a magical fight with a witch in a place called Smoo Cave. Lord Reay won the fight and his prize was a group of fairies who loved to work!

These fairies were put to work by Lord Reay. They are said to have built many of the old earthworks (like mounds or ditches) found in the area of Reay.

However, the fairies never got tired of working, and they kept demanding more tasks. So, Lord Reay gave them an impossible job: building a causeway (a raised road) of sand across the Pentland Firth. The strong ocean currents there wash away the sand as fast as the fairies can build it. This way, the fairies are always busy and never bother Lord Reay again!

See also

In Spanish: Lord Reay para niños