A Brief Military History
By Cathy Wood
The Clan System
The people of Mackay Country in medieval times had a society founded on family ties and group loyalty, honed by war, where wealth was measured first in men and then in cattle. The clan system itself is almost military in its organisation. A hierarchy existed where the leader or Laird is unquestionably able to order his people or clan to do as he wishes whether good or not. Subservient to him were tacksmen or local estate proprietors, tied by family and loyalty to their Laird. In turn the tacksmen had their wholly reliant retainers. Strangers were advised to make their wills before going into the north. Religion was responsible for social development and education with the Church bringing contact with the further world and opportunities. A Celtic church at Balnakeil could have been founded as early as the 8th century. There are records in the Vatican archives of a church here contributing to the third crusade in 1190. Eventually the Reay’s laird of Clan Mackay became Protestant at the time of the Reformation.
War Memorial, Durness
This photograph forms part of the Durness Photo Archive.
Kindly donated by: (Janet Cordiner) ED29A190
Kinlochbervie Around 1920
The First World War Memorial being erected
Kindly donated by: Edward Morrison ED24K
Bedford 6/1/19 Willie Mackay- Forester in Borgie- aged 21 years
Army Uniform- away to war. In pipe band therefore was a stretcher bearer in the war.
Kindly donated by: Donald Mackay TF1B
Sworn Enemies
The main enemy of the Mackay clan were the Sutherlands, constantly disputing for land and cattle. Between 1400 and 1550 the clans engaged in ten battles. The clan, like all families also had their internal disputes as illustrated by the Reverend Alexander Falconer in the entry for Eddrachilles in the Statistical Account for 1793. He was given to understand that the grandfather of Lieutenant General Hugh Mackay came into possession of the estate in Scourie by force and double-dealing.
Around 1940 - Edna Millar (now Barraclough) in WAAF uniform
Kindly donated by: Edward Morrison ED35A69
Scourie - 2000
The cairn - Unveiling of General Hugh Mackay Memorial Cairn.
Kindly donated by: Mrs Ray Mackay ED51Q1