Clan Mackay

Clan Mackay
Mac Aoidh/Clann Mhic Aoidh[1][2] or Sìol Mhorgain[3]
Crest: A dagger held erect
Motto	Manu forti (With a strong hand)[2]
War cry	Bratach gheal Chlann Maccaoidh!
Profile
Region	Highland
District	Strathnaver
Plant badge	Bulrush[2]
Pipe music	Bratach Bhan Chlann Aoidh (The White Banner of MacKay)[2]
Chief
Æneas Simon Mackay
15th Lord Reay (Morair Maghrath)
Historic seat	Castle Varrich[4]
Septs of Clan Mackay Allan, Bain, Bayne, Kay, Key, MacAllan, MacBain, MacCaa, MacCaw, MacCay, MacGaa, MacGaw, MacGee, MacGhee, MacGhie, MacKee, Mackie, MacPhail, MacQue, MacQuey, McKay, MacQuoid, MacVail, MacVain, MacVane, Morgan, Neilson, Nelson, Paul, Pole, Poleson, Polson, Reay, Scobie, Williamson.[5]
Clan branches Mackay of Strathnaver (chiefs) Mackay of Aberach (senior cadets) Mackay of Ardbrecknish Mackay of Ardoch[6] Mackay of Scoury Mackay of Borley Mackay of Bighouse Mackay of Inveralmond[7] Mackay of Kirtomy Mackay of Strathy Mackay of Skerray Mackay of Borgie Mackay of Melness Mackay of Sandwood Mackay of Whitehouse[7] Mackay of Achmonie Mackay of Galloway Mackay of Argyle and the West Mackay of Clashfern In other countries: Mackay of the Netherlands (the current chief was from this branch) Mackay of Sweden Mackie of Carrickbraith
Allied clans Clan Munro Clan Forbes Clan Morrison Clan Gunn (18th century) Clan Ross (18th century) Clan Sutherland (18th century)
Rival clans Clan Sinclair Clan Donald Clan Gunn (15th century) Clan Ross (15th century) Clan Sutherland (15th & 16th centuries)

Clan Mackay (/məˈkaɪ/ mə-KY; Scottish Gaelic: Clann Mhic Aoidh [ˈkʰl̪ˠãũn̪ˠ vĩçˈkʲɤj]) is an ancient and once-powerful Highland Scottish clan from the far North of the Scottish Highlands, but with roots in the old Kingdom of Moray.

They supported Robert the Bruce during the Wars of Scottish Independence in the 14th century. In the centuries that followed they were anti-Jacobite. The territory of the Clan Mackay consisted of the parishes of Farr, Tongue, Durness and Eddrachillis, and was known as Strathnaver, in the north-west of the county of Sutherland. However, it was not until 1829 that Strathnaver was considered part of Sutherland when the chief sold his lands to the Earls of Sutherland and the Highland Clearances then had dire consequences for the clan.

In the 17th century the Mackay chief's territory had extended to the east to include the parish of Reay in the west of the neighbouring county of Caithness. The chief of the clan is Lord Reay and the lands of Strathnaver later became known as the Reay Country.