Mackay of Scoury

The Mackays of Scoury were a minor noble Scottish family and a branch of the ancient Clan Mackay, a Highland Scottish clan. They were seated at Scourie Castle, in Scourie (modern spelling), in the parish of Eddrachillis, county of Sutherland. However, Scourie was part of the Mackay chief’s province of “Strathnaver” until it was sold to the Earl of Sutherland in 1829.

Donald Balloch Mackay, 1st of Scoury was the second eldest natural son of chief Iye Du Mackay, 12th of Strathnaver and Helen, daughter of Hugh MacLeod of Assint. However, as his parents were first cousins Donald Balloch Mackay was therefore barred by canon law from succeeding as chief to his father’s estates. Historian Angus Mackay does designate Donald Balloch as 13th of Strathnaver, but shows that the true successor of Iye Du Mackay was Huistean Du Mackay, 13th of Strathnaver who was the eldest son from Iye Du’s second marriage to Christian, daughter of John Sinclair of Duns, Caithness.

Donald Balloch disputed the chiefship with his younger half-brother Huistean Mackay, 13th of Strathnaver, and later he was banished from Strathnaver and Sutherland for the killing of one James Mackroy, thus retiring himself to the Earl of Caithness, chief of the Clan Sinclair who was then at feud with the Gordon Earl of Sutherland. In 1590 Donald Balloch Mackay commanded a company of archers in support of the Earl of Caithness and against the Earl of Sutherland at the Battle of Clynetradwell. Historian Angus Mackay states that Donald Balloch played the part of a skilful and gallant leader, saving the situation for the Earl of Caithness. Even the Gordon of Sutherland account states that Donald Balloch Mackay played the part of a good commander. The Earl of Caithness was however defeated and Donald Balloch Mackay was imprisoned in Dunrobin Castle by the Earl of Sutherland. He was later released with the consent of his half brother, Huistean Mackay, 13th of Strathnaver and from then on Donald Balloch Mackay supported the Earl of Sutherland like Huistean did.

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