Mackay of Aberach

The Mackays of Aberach also known as the Clan Aberach are a Scottish family and a branch of the ancient Clan Mackay of the Scottish Highlands. They were the senior cadet branch of the Clan Mackay and were seated at Achness, in Strathnaver, which is in modern-day Sutherland. In Scottish Gaelic they are known as the Sleaght-ean Aberigh (descendants of John Aberach).

John Mackay, 1st of the family of Aberach was a younger son of Angus Du Mackay, 7th of Strathnaver, chief of the Clan Mackay. His mother was a daughter of Alexander Carrach MacDonald, chief of the Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, who in turn was a son of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles (chief of Clan Donald) whose wife was a daughter of Robert II of Scotland.

John Mackay, I of Aberach's older brother, Neil Mackay was imprisoned on the Bass Rock for his part in the Battle of Tuiteam Tarbhach in 1406. Meanwhile, chief Angus Du Mackay's cousins, Neil and Morgan Mackay, had formed an alliance with the Murrays and Clan Sutherland who were enemies of Angus. Neil and Morgan along with the Murrays and Sutherlanders invaded Strathnaver in an attempt to take Angus's lands. However, they were defeated at the Battle of Drumnacoub by the forces of John Mackay, I of Aberach who supported his father, the chief, Angus Du Mackay.

John Mackay, I of Aberach married a daughter of the chief of Clan Mackintosh and left two known sons; William Du Mackay and John Mackay.

William Du Mackay, II of Aberach took a prominent part in the Battle of Aldy Charrish in 1486 against the Clan Ross where chief Alexander Ross 6th of Balnagowan was killed. The Mackays appear to have taken revenge on the Rosses who had killed their chief Angus Roy Mackay at the Battle of Tarbat a year earlier. William Du Mackay married a daughter of Hector Roy Mackenzie of Gairloch and left two known sons; William and Donald.

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