Robert Mackay of Achness

THE CLAN-ABRACH BRANCH OF MACKAYS

Robert of Achness, the second son of Murdoch of Achness, married Isabells, . daughter of the Rev. Hugh Munro, minister of Durness ; issue, four sons,

• Murdoch,
• Alexander,
• John, and
• William; and three daughters,
• Barbara,
• Janet, and
• Christian; this Christian married Hugh, third son of John Mackay of Skerray, (see the Skerray branch of the Strathy family).

Pg. 559 HISTORY OF THE HOUSE AND CLAN OF MACKAY

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Vila. Robert Mackay, second son of Murdo VI., was taken prisoner at Balveny along with the 2nd Lord Reay, 1649 (P.C. Reg.). He had a condescendence from the 2nd Lord Reay, to himself and to his eldest son Murdo, "of the lands and grassings of Ainloine, Drumrinnie, and Coulnafearn, to sit and raise crops on the saids lands and grassings, aye and until payment is made of 1000 merks "contained in a bond by his Lordship to Robert, 28th January, 1606 (Reuy Papers). At that time he held Lcttcrmore and Letterloyal in tack, residing at the latter place. When the fortunes of the Reay Family were very low, owing to severe losses incurred in the cause of Kings Charles I. and II., Robert Mackay was one of the six in whose names the Reay estates were secured in 16/3. He was also fosterfather to Donald Master of Reay, who was accidentally killed in the Reay Forest.

He married Isabella Munro, and had issue :—

i. Murdo, of whom follows.

ii. Alexander, of whom afterwards as Vlllb.

iii. John, a scholar of considerable attainments, teaching tutor of the 3rd Lord Rea}'. He witnessed the renunciation of the wadset of Eriboll, 8th September, 1719, as "John M'Kay, Tacksman of Langdale, Sherifi'-Depute of Strathnaver." He had known issue :—Rev. George, of Edderachilis, died unmarried, 1743 ; Lieut. Alexander, of the Sutherland regiment ; and John, who was married and had issue.

iv. William, of whom afterwards as VIIIc.

v. Janet married William MacAngus MacCallan Mackay, eldest son of "Angus M'Callan and his spouse Margaret nein Angus MacAngus." The said William had sasine on a contract of marriage, 11th April, 1670, of his father's wadset of the four pennylands of Strathmelness (Reay Papers). We showed on page 19 that these M'Callans were descended of Farquhar, son of lye IV. of Strathnaver. The issue of this marriage was an elder son, of whom follows :—

" William MacWilliam MacAngus alias M'Ky," who had a Precept of Clare constat, 23rd April, 1686, as heir to his father in the wadset of Strathmelness. He married Elizabeth Mackay, and had known issue a son and a daughter, viz., John Mackay of Strathmelness, who had a Precept of Clare constat, 1st February, 1726, as heir to his father in the wadset of Strathmelness. He was a poet, and a great friend of Rob Donn. He married Jane Sutherland, granddaughter of the Rev. William Mackay, Rogart, son of lye of Golval (See Bighouse Mackays), and had issue, but we cannot trace them. He had a sister, Catherine, married to John Mackay of Clashneach, son of Hector of Skerray (See Strathy Mackays).

vi. Christina, married Hugh Mackay of Cairnloch, son of John
Mackay of Skerray (See Strathy Mackays).

pg. 247-248

THE BOOK OF MACKAY BY ANGUS MACKAY, M.A. (St. Andrews University) Minister at Westerdale, Caithness EDINBURGH : NORMAN MACLEOD, -25 GEORGE IV. BRIDGE CANADA : EDWARD MACKAY, ST. PETER'S MANSE, MADOC,

ONT. M DCCCC VI

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1663,- Ordained said Hew Munro to Durness. From this date forward there are many references in the Presbytery Record complaining of his non-attendance at the meetings. He excused himself on the grounds of distance, and difficulty of the journey, but was sharply admonished. He did not take the test in 1681, but on petitioning the Privy Council, he was allowed to do so before his Ordinary on 16th March, 1682. He died in possession of his benefice in 1698, aged 59 years, in the 36th year of his ministery. A daughter, Isabella, married Robert Mackay of Achness

http://www.electricscotland.com/history/articles/durness.htm

References

• http://www.frostandgilchrist.com/getperson.php?personID=I41230&tree...
• History of the House and Clan of Mackay, containing ... besides accounts of many other Scottish Families, a variety of historical notices, ... more particularly of those relating to the Northern Division of Scotland. ... With a genealogical table of the Clan. Robert MACKAY, W.S. (1829) GoogleBooks
• https://www.stirnet.com/genie/data/british/mm4fz/munro08.php