However, having inherited his father's mental illness, the 9th Earl declared that his sister Elizabeth and her husband Adam Gordon, and their children were his nearest heirs.

[3] According to 19th century historian William Fraser, Adam Gordon's mother was Annabella, the youngest daughter of James I of Scotland.

Adam Gordon styled himself as Earl of Sutherland in a letter in favour of Sir Robert McRaith as the chaplain of the church lands of St Andrew in Golspie.

[3] However, according to Fraser, according to a bond of friendship with the Earl of Caithness dated September 1516, Alexander Sutherland at that time was actually in possession of Dunrobin Castle.

If Dunrobin Castle could not be speedily won then the Earl and Countess of Sutherland were to take refuge in any stronghold Caithness could provide for them in his territory.

[3] However, William Fraser disputes this version of events as it can be proved that Alexander Sutherland was in prison in the year of 1517 when the battle is supposed to have taken place and he was not released until 1518.

[5] According to Gordon, in 1518, Alexander Sutherland had gained great favour with both the Earl of Caithness and John Mackay, whose sister he had married.