Doings in Sutherland--Battle of Torran-Dubh--Feud between the Keiths and the clan Gun--John Mackay and Murray of Aberscors--Alexander Sutherland, the bastard, claims the Earldom--Contests between John Mackay and the Master of Sutherland--Earls of Caithness and Sutherland--Dissensions among the clan Chattan--Hector Macintosh elected Captain--His doings--Disturbances in Sutherland--Feuds between the Clanranald and Lord Lovat--The ‘Field of Shirts’--Earl of Huntly’s Expedition--Commotions in Sutherland--Earl of Huntly and the Clanranald--The Queen Regent visits the Highlands--Commotions in Sutherland--Queen Mary’s Expedition against Huntly--Earl and Countess of Sutherland poisoned--Earl of Caithness’ treatment of the young Earl of Sutherland--Quarrel between the Monroes and clan Kenzie--Doings of the Earl of Caithness--Unruly state of the North--The clan Chattan--Reconciliation of the Earls of Sutherland and Caithness--The Earl of Sutherland and the clan Gun--Disastrous Feud between the Macdonalds and Macleans--Disputes between the Earls of Sutherland and Caithness--Reconciliation between Mackay and the Earl of Sutherland. In the year 1516, Adam Earl of Sutherland, in anticipation of threatened dangers in the north, entered into bonds of friendship and alliance with the Earl of Caithness for mutual protection and support. The better to secure the goodwill and assistance of the Earl of Caithness, Earl Adam made a grant of some lands upon the east side of the water of Ully; but the Earl of Caithness, although he kept possession of the lands, joined the foes of his ally and friend. The Earl of Sutherland, however, would have found a more trustworthy supporter in the person of Y-Roy-Mackay, who had come under a written obligation to serve him the same year; but Mackay died, and a contest immediately ensued in Strathnaver, between John and Donald Mackay his bastard sons, and Neill-Naverigh Mackay, brother of Y-Roy, to obtain possession of his lands. John took possession of all the lands belonging to his father in Strathnaver; but his uncle Neill laid claim to them, and applied to the Earl of Caithness for assistance to recover them. The Earl, after many entreaties, put a force under the command of Neill and his two sons, with which they entered Strathnaver, and obtaining an accession of strength in that country, they dispossessed John Mackay, who immediately went to the clan Chattan and clan Kenzie, to crave their aid and support, leaving his brother Donald Mackay to defend himself in Strathnaver as he best could. Donald not having a sufficient force to meet his uncle and cousins in open combat, had recourse to a stratagem which succeeded entirely to his mind. With his little band he, under cloud of night, surprised his opponents at Delreavigh in Strathnaver, and slew both his cousins and the greater part of their men, and thus utterly destroyed the issue of Neill. John Mackay,