Neil MacEan MacWilliam MacEan MacWilliaimson Mackay, of Achness

V. Neil MacEan MacWilliam, as "Nigello Mcleane MakWilliam, scrvis dicti Odonis" (Neil son of John son of William, acting for the said lye), witnessed the sasine to his cousin, lye Du of Strathnaver, of the lands of Strathnaver, 20th April, 1571 {Appendix No. 26). In the same capacity he also witnessed the Grant for the charter, and the Instrument of Possession which lye Du obtained. From this it is evident that Neil and lye Du were fast friends, and that they fought shoulder to shoulder. After the death of lye Du the Durness affair of 1579 drove a wedge between Neil and Huisteau Du, as we show in the memoir of the latter. It also resulted in a bitter and prolonged feud between the Aberachs and the Gunns, in which much blood was spilt on both sides. Tradition has it that one of their fierce encounters took place at Beallach Vigais, about the middle of Strathhalladale and on the west side of the river. Neil Aberach's foster-mother accompanied him to the field, 1 and as she saw one after another of her own sons struck down as shieldbearers to the chieftain, she kept calling "Aprau ur air beal 'obh Neil " (a new apron in front of Neil). Of doughty Neil Sir Robert Gordon says, he was " a good captain, bold, crafty, of a very good wit, and quick resolution." The pity is that Huistean Du of Strathnaver had not the wisdom to give Neil a proper title to his ancestral lands of Achness. With such a man at his back he could have spoken with greater effect to his enemies in the gate. According to the Bute MS., he married a daughter of Hector Munro of Contalich, and had known issue four sons : —

i. Murdo, of whom follows.

ii. William Mor, of whom afterwards as VId.

Also Robert, who witnessed the marriage contract of Murdo in 1615; and Neil.

pg. 245-246

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

About this time, John Mackay of Achness, the chieftain, died, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Niel, a man of great personal and mental powers, second to none in the north of Scotland in his time; of whom Sir Robert, who was personally acquainted with him, and had no partial favour for him, or any of his tribe, writes, "This Niel was a good captain, bold, crafty, of very good wit, and quick resolution." Sensible of the iiyury intended to his friend Donald, and that it would beruinous to the country, if its affairs were allowed to be under the direction of Lord Caithness, Niel was resolved to oppose his measures, and see justice done to Donald, to the utmost of his power. Lord Caithness, in return, sent a company of men to assist the Macleods of Durness to invade Niel, and spoil his lands ; but they were defeated with loss : and immediately thereafter Niel attacked the Macleods at Balnakeel, and slew the greater part of them. pg. 145 HISTORY THE HOUSE AND CLAN MACKAY,BY ROBERT MACKAY, 1829

Niel, who in the foregoing work is termed Niel-Mack-Ean-Mack-William. This Niel Mackay of Achness, the chieftain, married a daughter of Hector Munro of Contalich ; issue four sons, 

• Murdoch,
• Robert,
• Niel, and
• William

Pg. 558  HISTORY THE HOUSE AND CLAN MACKAY,BY ROBERT MACKAY, 1829