Mackay of Aberach facts for kids
The Mackays of Aberach, also known as the Clan Aberach, are a Scottish family. They are a special branch of the old Clan Mackay from the Scottish Highlands. This family was the most important junior branch of the Clan Mackay. Their home was at Achness, in Strathnaver, which is now part of Sutherland. In Scottish Gaelic, they are called the Sleaght-ean Aberigh, meaning "descendants of John Aberach."
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Who Was John Mackay, I of Aberach?
John Mackay, the first leader of the Aberach family, was a younger son of Angus Du Mackay, 7th of Strathnaver. Angus Du was the chief of the main Clan Mackay. John's mother was the daughter of Alexander Carrach MacDonald, chief of the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch.
John Mackay, I of Aberach, was a strong supporter of his father. His older brother, Neil Mackay, was held prisoner after the Battle of Tuiteam Tarbhach in 1406. Meanwhile, some of Chief Angus Du Mackay's cousins, Neil and Morgan Mackay, teamed up with the Murrays and Clan Sutherland. These groups were enemies of Angus.
Neil and Morgan, along with the Murrays and Sutherlanders, invaded Strathnaver. They wanted to take Angus's lands. But John Mackay, I of Aberach, led his father's forces and defeated them at the Battle of Drumnacoub.
John Mackay, I of Aberach, married a daughter of the chief of Clan Mackintosh. They had two known sons: William Du Mackay and John Mackay.
William Du Mackay, II of Aberach's Revenge
William Du Mackay, the second leader of Aberach, played a big part in the Battle of Aldy Charrish in 1486. This battle was against the Clan Ross. During the fight, Chief Alexander Ross, 6th of Balnagowan, was killed. The Mackays seemed to be getting revenge on the Rosses. The Rosses had killed their chief, Angus Roy Mackay, at the Battle of Tarbat just one year earlier.
William Du Mackay married a daughter of Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch. They had two known sons: William and Donald.
William Mackay, III of Aberach's Story
William Mackay, the third leader of Aberach, was killed in 1517. This happened after the Battle of Torran Dubh, which took place near Loch Salchie. He married a daughter of Murray of Tulibardine and had six sons. His second son, John, took over as leader.
John Williamson Mackay, IV of Aberach's Challenges
John Williamson, the fourth leader of Aberach, faced some trouble in 1538. He and nine other people were called to appear in Inverness. They were accused of helping rebels who were involved in a killing.
John married the daughter of Chief Donald Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver. They had a son, Neil MacEan MacWilliam Mackay, and a daughter named Margaret.
Neil MacEan MacWilliam Mackay, V of Aberach's Feuds
Neil MacEan MacWilliam Mackay, the fifth leader of Aberach, was present when his cousin, Chief Iye Du Mackay, 12th of Strathnaver, officially received the lands of Strathnaver in 1571.
Neil became involved in arguments and fights with the Clan Gunn. These feuds led to the Battle of Leckmelm. Later, he married a daughter of Hector Munro of Contullich Castle. They had four sons: Murdo, William Mor, Robert, and Neil. In 1542, Neil Mackay was put in charge of Skibo Castle by his chief, Donald Mackay, 11th of Strathnaver.
Later Leaders of the Aberach Family
- Murdo Mackay, VI of Aberach: He held lands as a guarantee for Chief Donald Mackay, 1st Lord Reay. He married Christina in 1615 and had several children, including John, Robert, Neil, and Ann.
- John Mackay, VII of Aberach: This John Mackay was known for being very religious. He strongly supported the Scottish Covenanters during the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. He married Christina Munro and had one son, William.
- Rev. William Mackay, VIII of Aberach: He was a minister in Dornoch. A record from 1673 calls him the "Aberach chieftain." He had three sons: John, George, and Hugh, but they all died without children. Robert Mackay, a grandson of Murdo Mackay VI, became the next chieftain.
- Robert Mackay, IX of Aberach: He was captured at Balveny in 1649 along with the chief, the 2nd Lord Reay. He married Isabella Munro and had children, including Murdo, Alexander, John, William, Janet, and Christina.
- Hugh Mackay, X of Aberach: Born around 1715, he was known as "Huistean McCorrichie." He married Catherine Mackay and had three sons and two daughters. He died in 1797.
- George Mackay, XI of Aberach: He married Catherine Mackay. During the Highland Clearances, a time when many people had to leave their homes, he sold his land and moved to Wick. He died in 1840 and had many children.
- George Mackay, XII of Aberach: He became a merchant in Inverness in 1811 and ran his business for over fifty years. He married Lillias Grant in 1819 and had eight sons and three daughters.
- Rev. Dr. James Mackay, XIII of Aberach: Born in 1820, he was a chaplain during the Indian Mutiny and received a medal for his service. He had two sons and one daughter with his first wife.
Ensign John Mackay of Moudale: A Hero
A very famous member of the Mackay of Aberach family was Ensign John Mackay of Moudale. He was a junior officer from the Aberach family. He is well-known for leading a group of soldiers called an Independent Highland Company. These soldiers supported the British Government during the Jacobite rising of 1745.
In 1746, John Mackay and his men defeated a Jacobite force at the Battle of Littleferry. Historian Angus Mackay called John Mackay of Moudale a "hero." He even captured the Jacobite commander, George Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Cromartie. John Mackay of Moudale was a direct descendant of a younger son of Neil MacEan MacWilliam, V of Aberach.
There's a short poem in Gaelic about John Mackay of Moudale:
Cuis ardain nan Aberach, Laimh laidir nach bagradh, Ian failteach macRaibert ‘icNeil
This translates to English as:
The pride of the Aberachs, Strong hand without menace, Genial John, the son of Robert, son of Neil
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