Neil "Bass" Mackay, 8th of Strathnaver

VIII. Niel Bass 1433-50.

FOR some years after the death of his father Neil continued in JjT captivity, and the maintenance of the interests of the Mackays of Strathnaver devolved during the interval upon Ian Aberach. Sir Robert Gordon relates that the Earl of Sutherland was greatly enraged at the news of Drum nan Coup, that he drove Ian Aberach into the western isles, and that on the Aberach's return at Christmas following he pursued him a second time " so eagerlie, that he was constrained to submit himselff, and crave him pardon for his offence, which he obtained upon his submission." That the Earl of Sutherland was angry is likely, but that he carried out these wonderful expeditions, or that Ian Aberach came to Dunrobin to beg pardon for fighting at Drum nan Coup, we are sceptical enough not to believe. This is, in our opinion, fictional history written to support a fictional claim of Sutherland's " superiority " over Mackay.

As Angus Moray, according to Sir Robert Gordon, gathered "a company of Sutherlandmen with Earle Robert his attollerance," we are justified in believing that his force of 1500 men represented the collective strength of that country. It is but reasonable to conclude that on such a hazardous expedition all their available strength would be employed ; and judging from its population the country was not capable of turning any more men into the field. But this force was effectually broken to pieces at Drum nan Coup and all its leaders slain. As we do not believe the Earl of Sutherland was able to raise

the dead on the slopes of Ben Loyal by the blast of a trumpet, we fail to understand where he got the men to carry out these Munchausen expeditions. We do acknowledge, however, that many attempts were made to assassinate Ian Aberach by Sutherlandmen, who came north in various disguises to avenge the death of fallen relatives, and that consequently he often had to pass the night for safety in a most inaccessible rocky fastness, near Castle Varrich, called to this day Leabaidh Ian Aberich, that is John of Lochaber's bed. The Mackays had nothing to fear from the men of Sutherland, who got such a severe handling in 1433 that they had to lie low for many a long day thereafter. Their danger lay in an attack from Caithness, which was delivered, although Sir Robert Gordon is silent on the point.

According to local tradition, shortly after the battle of Drum nan Coup and before Neil escaped from the Bass, Ian Aberach engaged the men of Caithness at Tom an Dris, on the west bank of the river Halladale, opposite Tor. The fight seems to have been a bloody one, as is evidenced by the abundance of human remains buried in the sandy slope above the ford at Tor. About 1820 a severe storm blew away the sand and exposed a considerable quantity of human bones, which Major Mackay of Bighouse collected and reburied at the foot of the slope, marking the spot by some stones. Human bones have also been found on both sides of the river in the neighbourhood of the ford, and for some distance to the east of it on the way to Caithness. From the configuration of the ground and from the position of the slain, it may be concluded that the Mackays were drawn up on the western slope above the ford to contest a Caithness invasion, and that the latter were driven back losing men for a considerable distance from the actual battle-field, as they were endeavouring to make their way home. The tactics practised here were exactly similar to those adopted so successfully at Drum nan Coup : the Mackays stuck to a good strong defensive position and waited for an attack with their backs to the brae. Instead of the Earl of Sutherland pursuing Ian Aberach after the battle near Tongue, it is more reasonable to conclude that the men of Sutherland were saved from further immediate punishment at the hands of Ian by the long-standing feud between the Maekays and the men of Caithness.

In Feb. 1436, King James was murdered at Perth, and shortly thereafter Neil Vass escaped from his prison on the Bass by the help pinkerton & of a kinswoman, the wife of Lauder the governor. The very next suthr. year Neil at the head of his clansmen undertook an expedition into Caithness. As Neil had no military experience—he was confined on the Bass at the tender age of 14—the captain of the force was undoubtedly the youthful veteran Ian Aberach. The Maekays poured into Caithness by way of Reay, and took the precaution of leaving a strong body posted on Drum Holstein to cover their rear. The main body advanced towards Thurso, plundering and burning as they went. They were met somewhere in the neighbourhood of Thurso by the forces of Caithness, before which the Maekays fell back fighting and carrying their spoil. They retired in good order to Sandside, where they were joined by their reserves from Drum Holstein, and there the real battle began. By skilful tactics Ian Aberach managed to corner the Caithnessmen in a loop of the bay below Sandside House, and to inflict a crushing defeat driving many into the sea. The survivors were chased for some distance along the shore towards Dunreay. BLK Ms, Around the ancient fort of Cnoc Stangar, between Sandside House and the sea, where the fight was fiercest, the bones of the slain may yet be dug out of the sandy soil. This conflict is known as Ruaig Handside, Sandside Chase.

So idolized was Ian Aberach of his clansmen, who had good proof of his qualities during his brother's absence, that they would fain make him their chief, but Ian magnanimously refused to usurp his brother Neil's place, and handed over the government to him on his return from the Bass. This dauntless valour and unselfish chivalry became the heritage and characteristic of the Aberach Mackays, who were ever forward in the fray and but seldom reaped the full fruits of their victories, owing to their devotion to the principal family of Mackay. Neil, however, endeavoured to reward Ian by bestowing upon him lands in Strathnaver, but as there was no sheep-skin charters given or asked the descendants of Ian Aberach afterwards saw these lands pass over their heads to the Earl of Sutherland, in the days of Donald, 1st Lord Reay. Neil Vass married a daughter of George Munro of Fowlis by his wife, a daughter of Ross of Balnagown, and had by her two sons and one daughter: ---

I. Angus Roy, who succeeded his father.

ii. John Roy, who had a son William Roy. The said William is mentioned in a decreet of the Lords of Council against the Mackays of Strathnaver, dated 27th July 1501, wherein he is designated " Wilziam Reed McKy."

iii. Elizabeth, who married John MacGillion of Lochbuy, chief of Maclean. pg. 63-66

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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Donald of the Isles having detained Angus-Dow a while in captivity, released him, and gave him his daughter in marriage, whom Angus-Dow carried home with him to Strathnaver, and had a son by her, called Niel-Wass, so named because he was imprisoned in the Bass." pg 54

He writes thus, a In the days of Robert, Earl of Sutherland, the vear 1426, Angus-Dow Mackay, and his son Niel, assembling all the forces of Strathnaver, they entered into Caithness with all hostility, and spoiled the same. The inhabitants of Caithness convened with all diligence, and fought against Angus-Dow Mackay at Harpsdale, where there was great slaughter on either side. The report hereof came to the ears of King James the First, who thereupon came north to Invemess, of intention to pursue Angus-Dow Mackay. Hearing of the king's being at Iaverness, he came and submitted himself to the king's mercy, and gave his son Niel in pledge for his good obedience from thenceforward : which submission the king accepted, and sent Niel Maekay to remain in captivity in the Bass, who from thenceforth was always called Niel-Bass Mac-
Kay pg. 58

Sir Robert describes it thus, In this Earl (Robert) of Sutherland his days, Neil-wasse Mackay, immediately after his releasement out of the Bass, the year 1437, entered into Caithness, and spoiled the country. He skirmished with some of the people of the country, at a place called Sansett, where he overthrew them, with slaughter on either side. This conflict was called Ruoig-Hansett, that is, the flight or chase at Sansett. After which Niel-Wasse died, leaving two sons, Angus and John-Roy. Of this John-Roy, the Sleaght-ean-Roy (offspring of John-Roy) are descended. - pg. 75-76

Niel Mackay, as Sir Robert states, "married a gentlewoman of the surname of Munro, by whom he had two sons, Angus Mackay, and John Roy-Mackay, from whorn the Sleaght-ean- Roy are descended."  Niel and his brother John are supposed to have  died some time about the  middle of the fifteenth century. The latter was succeeded by his son William-Dow-Abrach Mackay, and the former by his son, pg. 80

THE PRINCIPAL BRANCH CONTINUED.

NIEL Bass Maekay married a daughter of the laird of Fowlis, by whom he had

three sons,

• 1st, Angus, who succeeded him ;
  
• 2nd, John Roy, ancestor of the Slighd-Ean-Roy Mackays, whose progeny cannot be traced ;
  
• the 3d son was ancestor of the Mackays of Fife, who have for most part been termed -Wdckie. pg. 561
  

HISTORY THE HOUSE AND CLAN MACKAY,BY ROBERT MACKAY, 1829

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Neil, remained a hostage from 1426 until the King's death in 1436, and spent part of the time on the Bass Rock, hence his Highland sobriquet Neil Vass.

In 1437 he made a successful expedition into Caithness, and defeated his foes at Sandside.'" He married a daughter of George Munro of Fowlis by his first wife, Isobel, a daughter of Alexander

Ross of Balnagown," and had issue :

• 1. Angus Roy, of whom follows.
• 2. John Roy, who had a son,

• Wilziam Reed Mcky,mentioned in a decreet " of the Lords of Council
  

3. Elisabeth, who married John Mac-gill-eoin of Lochbuy, a chieftain of Maclean.*

Scottish Peerage Vol. 7 pg. 160-161

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In 1437, Neill Wasse Mackay was released from confinement in the Bass, and on assuming the chiefship, he bestowed on John Aberigh, for his attention to his father, the lands of Lochnaver, in fee simple, which were long possessed by his posterity, that particular branch of the Mackays, called the Sliochd-ean-Aberigh, of an-Abrach. Neill Wasse, soon after his accession, ravaged Caithness, but died the same year, leaving two sons, Angus, and John Roy Mackay, the latter founder of another branch, called the Sliochd-ean-Roy.

http://www.electricscotland.com/webclans/m/mackay2.html

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Source: Individual Record FamilySearch™ Pedigree Resource File Search Results | Print

• Neil Vass MACKAY Compact Disc #65 Pin #39349 Pedigree
• Sex: M
• Event(s)
• Birth: abt 1413 of Strathnaver, Sutherland, Scotland
• Death: 1450 Scotland
• Parents
• Father: Angus Dow (Duff) MACKAY Disc #65 Pin #39351
• Mother: Elizabeth MacDONALD Disc #65 Pin #39350
• Marriage(s)
• Spouse: Elizabeth MUNRO Disc #65 Pin #39348
• Marriage: abt 1439 Scotland Notes and Sources Available on CD-ROM Disc# 65

Submitter Joyce PARSONS 3923 Pharaoh Circle, Murray, UT, 84123, United States of America

Submission Search: 1206518-0603103104937 URL: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~jandjroots CD-ROM: Pedigree Resource File - Compact Disc #65