The north west of Sutherland was for centuries the main territory of the Mackays, although they were also to be found in Argyll, Kintyre and much further south west in Galloway.
• With the motto ‘A strong hand’, the main seat of the clan chief was the House of Tongue, on the eastern shore of the Kyle of Tongue, while this clan renowned for its martial skills also held the forbidding strongholds of Castle Borve and Castle Varrich.
• In common with many other clans, the Mackays were often embroiled in bitter warfare with their neighbours.
