The Clan History

The first historic chief was Angus (1380-1429). He was assassinated, and the Clan was ruled by his younger son, until the rightful heir obtained his release from captivity on the Bass Rock, 1437. The latters son was Chief and led the Clan in the cruel fight of Blair Tannic, Caithness. In 1628 Sir Donald MacKay of Strathnaver, Chief of the Clan, was created Lord Reay, with the remainder of his heirs, male, bearing the name and Arms of MacKay. The major portions of the estates was sold in the 17th century to pay the cost of maintaining and transporting 2000 men, whom Lord Reay recruited for foreign service to assist the protestant cause in the great 'Thirty Years', War. The earliest Gaelic charter extant was granted by Donald Lord of the Isles, to Brian Vicar MacKay in 1408.