Huistean Du Mackay, 13th of Strathnaver

[1] Between the two sides was Huistean Mackay, who supported both but was in a weak position, being at the head of a divided clan.

[3] When Huistean obtained legal possession of his lands he gave Scourie to Donald Balloch Mackay, only surviving son from the first marriage.

[3] The Mackays of Aberach did this along with the MacLeods of Assynt, killing John Beg Mackay, William Gunn (chieftain of the Robson Gunns) and others at Balnakeil in the parish of Durness in 1579, and the chieftain of Clan Matheson barely escaped with his life.

[6] At this time a strange coincidence took place: William Mackay of Bighouse (younger brother of Huistean) had raided the MacLeods taking much cattle.

[7] As William Mackay was returning home he came across the Earl of Sutherland's men who were searching for the Gunns and a fight took place over the cattle.

William Mackay's men fought a rear guard action and the following morning stumbled across the Gunns who were retiring from the Sinclairs of Caithness.

In February 1587, the Sinclairs killed Gordon of Marle and made preparations to invade Sutherland.

[9] In March the Earl of Caithness, supported by Huistean Du Mackay advanced on Sutherland where they found the Earl supported by Mackintosh, Mackenzie of Redcastle and Munro of Contullich Castle, who were posted on the west bank of the river.

[10] In December 1589, Huistean Mackay married Lady Jane Gordon, daughter of the Earl of Sutherland.

[14] A contemporary historian, Sir Robert Gordon, writes of Huistean Du Mackay in one of the battles against the forces of Sinclair, Earl of Caithness:[15] Mackay, with bold adventure of his own person, of all the rest most forward...crossed the water which was betuin him and the enemie, with some few gentlemen in his company...and although the danger was apparent, yet the Sutherland men were ashamed to forsake him, who did fight so manfullie in their defense, with a resolute courage and undaunted heartHuistean Du Mackay's first marriage was to Lady Elizabeth Sinclair, daughter of George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness, whom he divorced but had had one daughter with, Christina who married John Mackintish of Davell, younger son of Lachlan Mor Mackintosh, 16th of Mackintosh.

[16] He married secondly (as mentioned above) Lady Jane Gordon, daughter of Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland, and had the following two sons and two daughters: Huistean Du Mackay died on 2 September 1614 at Tongue and was succeeded by his eldest son.