A Mackay Journey: The Clearances through to the present day

Allan Mackay talks to us about his family's experience of the Highland Clearances. This film accompanies our exhibition a Mackay Journey which was curated by our volunteers in 2014 as part of the Bicentenary of the Strathnaver Clearances.

[@retsdon]

Interesting talk. My family originated up that way (I'm a McKay) and gradually moved south over a few generations. I was also a sheep farmer too for a period of my life, so I appreciate what Allan is saying about the tenuous nature of the business and the uncertainty of the future - especially that far north. And with Brexit coming......the future must be very uncertain. My children have never even been to Scotland let alone to Caithness so we really must do a trip sometime and perhaps even visit a few ancestral graves ( I know where they are). Beautiful air up that way - it's so clean. Hard to find the like these days...

[@Jmack01]

Manu Forti! Cheers from a MacKaye in Virginia

[@roberttamatea1996]

MacKay proud from New Zealand. I decended from James MacKay jnr originally known as (Mackey) born of Sutherland but did some growing up in Aberdeen then he moved to London where he met his wife. They raised a family of their own in London. My Family migrated to NZ during the Highland clearances. And with them they brought their Scottish tradition and continued to live their lives here as Farmers. My GGGGGrandfather James MacKay snr ended up becoming the head of native reserves NZ

[@vinnyc3048]

I am Vincent Crowden Mackay, son of Sheila and Bessie was her mother, both of who dedicated their life's to others,while they were not spiritual to me as much as I know I believe the unselfish lives they led uhey are one the ascent towards where they belong, I may be wrong but they would give u their last as I believe is the Highland tradition. I left it late in line before paying the respect my ancestors were due and would love to know more about my bloodline,my gran ran the sheltered in Talmine my father a Fisherman a Crowden from Castletown as his forefathers I look forward to meeting them in the future, Manu Forti

[@janettmorgsn]

My grand father was frank morgan my grand mother was vera mackay I'm janett morgan i live in south africa.

[@brandonmckay2143]

We would love to hear from you

[@brandonmckay2143]

We go by the last name MacKay as well

[@brandonmckay2143]

We will never give up we are strong and thriving

[@janettmorgsn]

frazer is the family name my brother's son is called frazer morgan.

[@melissaparks6698]

The name was not passed to me ( I decend from a female line) and the McKay name of my forebears was charged to McCoy here in America. I decend from John McKay, also know as John the Immigrant, then Ole William McCoy, Daniel McCoy and Randall McCoy...of the Hatfield-McCoy feud. Old Randall's sister Mary Etta was my ggg grandmother. We may go by different names, but the McCoys/ McKays are still thriving. Love from Kentucky!!!

[@graceygrumble]

An English Mackay, here.

[@brandonmckay2143]

Hail family we are here in California USA the MacKay family still strives my kinsmen

[@leemackay8545]

pleasure to meet u fellow clansman, im on the westcost of canada just outside of vancouver canada

[@brandonmckay2143]

That’s great are you familiar with the states

[@brandonmckay2143]

My name is Brandon McKay and I am Strong

[@brandonmckay2143]

The McKay family is still strong I am Alpha here

[@j.t.mmackay9180]

Manu Forti

[@brandonmckay2143]

I have a son who will continue the blood line of our clan, no worries as well as my brother. Hunter is my brothers son, look for his name