Huistean Du Mackay actually supported the Earl of Sutherland in 1590 but he and his half-brother Donald had long been disunited owing to a disputed chiefship: Donald Balloch was actually the elder of the two but his parents having been first cousins meant that their marriage was an irregular one under canon law and so he could not succeed as clan chief.

[7] Also, Donald Balloch Mackay had been banished out of Strathnaver and Sutherland for killing James Mackroy and therefore retired himself to the Earl of Caithness.

[1] The Gordons of Sutherland watched the Earl of Caithness's men driving away a large herd of cattle at Clynetradwell (or "Clentredvaill"[1]).

[2] Even the Gordon account states that Donald Balloch Mackay played the part of a good commander.

[1] On the Earl of Caithness's side Nicolas Sutherland (brother of the Laird of Forse) and Angus-Mack-Angus-Termack were killed,[1] along with thirteen others.