Huistean Du Mackay, 14th of Strathnaver

Huistean Du Mackay (Hugh Mackay), 13th of Strathnaver (d. 1614), was the thirteenth chief of Clan Mackay, a Highland Scottish clan. Iye Du Mackay died in 1572 when Huistean was just eleven years of age.

Sutherland-Caithness feud Map showing the territory of the Clan Mackay that was known as Strathnaver in relation to Sutherland and Caithness. The boundary is marked with a dashed line. (click to enlarge) In the later half of the 16th century in the far north of Scotland, Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland (chief of Clan Sutherland) and George Sinclair, 4th Earl of Caithness (chief of Clan Sinclair) were at deadly feud with each other. However, this marriage was an irregular one under canon law as it was a marriage of first cousins. Others supported Huistean Mackay. The Aberach Mackays then rushed to the open arms of the Earl of Sutherland. By 1585, Gordon, Earl of Sutherland and Gordon, Earl of Huntly stood together with the support of the Aberach Mackays and the MacLeods of Assynt. On the other side stood George Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness, Huistean Mackay, chief of Clan Mackay and the Robson Gunns. 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. Together the Mackays and Gunns attacked the Sinclairs of Caithness defeating them and killing their leader Henry Sinclair, cousin of the Earl of Caithenss. 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. For some days there was skirmishing between the two armies on both sides of the water. The Earl of Sutherland sent Mackintosh across to try to persuade Huistean Mackay to desert the Earl of Caithness. The Earl of Sutherland having gained the support of Mackay swept into Caithness accompanied by Mackay, Mackintosh and Munro. That same year McHamish Gunn, chief of the Clan Gunn, again wasted Caithness with great ferocity. In 1590, the Earl of Caithness invaded Sutherland in person fighting stubbornly and advancing as far as Brora.

A contemporary historian, Sir Robert Gordon, writes of Huistean Du Mackay in one of the battles against the forces of Sinclair, Earl of Caithness:

Later life and family Huistean 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 Mackintosh of Davell, younger son of Lachlan Mor Mackintosh, 16th of Mackintosh. 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: Donald Mackay, 1st Lord Reay, heir and successor as chief of the Clan Mackay. John Mackay, 1st of Strathy, also progenitor of the Mackays of Skerray. Annas Mackay, who married John Sinclair of Brims, Caithness. Mary Mackay, who married Sir Hector Munro, 1st Baronet, chief of the Clan Munro.

Huistean Du Mackay died on 2 September 1614 at Tongue and was succeeded by his eldest son.