Thomas Mackay of Spinnidale

Thomas Neilsou held the lands of Creich, etc., of his cousin Angus Du, and was executed at Inverness, probably in 1426, for the slaughter of Mowat of Bucholly. pg. 50

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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Sir Robert's account is therefore far more credible,... But he lends a key to it in another place, where he states, that Thomas Mackay (he calls him "Mackneill," because he was son of Neil) who was cousin-german of Angus, was proprietor of Creichmore in Ross, and of several other estates specified in the charters after mentioned, granted to his two brothers and to & Murray... pg. 55

Thomas MacNiel, that is, the son of Niel, possessed the lands of Creich, Spanizcdale, and Pulrossie in Sutherland. This Thomas had conceived some displeasure against the laird of Freswick, called Mowat, whom he had pursued and killed, with all his company, near A the town of Tain, in Ross, within the chapel of St Duffus, and burnt also that chapel, unto the which Mowat had retired himself as to a sanctuary. The king hearing of this cruel fact, proclaimed and denounced Thomas MacNiel to be a rebel; promised his lands and possessions for a reward to any that would kill or apprehend him pg. 58-9

So presently thereupon apprehending their brother Thomas at Spanizedale in Sutherland, they delivered him up to Angus Murray, who was resented A. to the king. Then was Thomas MacNeil executed at Inverness, and the lands of Pulrossie and Spanizedale, which he did possess, mere given by the king to Angus Murray as a reward for his service."" He should have added, that the king, at the same time, granted charters to Niel and Morgan Mackay for their parts in the service. pg. 59

When Thomas was brought to his trial, the essence of his crime, no doubt, was the sacrilege, as it was then reckoned, which he committed by killing Mowat in the chapel, and burning that most sacred place, which was unpardonable pg. 61

But to return to Thomas Mackay. There are strong grounds to believe that the plot regarding his apprehension was laid between Robert Earl of Sutherland and Angus Murray ; and that plot was truly deep. There were first in the case two young women, and, no doubt, beautiful women, of whom R3organ and Niel had been previously enamoured : and what will not young men encounter for such ? There were also great promises of a large country to be obtained, and that without much difificultv, ; and the powerful Earl of Sutherland was to assist them to obtain it. The unnatural and rash young men swallowed the bait ; apprehended their brother, who, of all others, had no suspicion of them; and then, as a part of their reward, obtained possession of the young ladies : two innocent doves matched to two vultures pg. 63-64

The Lord of the Isles, however, acted more justly with regard to the lands of Creighmore in Ross, which he claimed as superior upon the death of Thomas : for he conveyed them to Paul Mackay, nephew of Thomas. This Paul was ancestor of the Polsons and Macphauls pg. 64

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

Said to be Thomas Mackay of Spinnidale, Creigh, Pulrossie,&c. who was ancestor of the Shil-Thomas Mackays pg. 558 THE HOUSE AND CLAN MACKAY