Clan Mackay-Clan Sutherland feud

Between 1517 and 1590, the Northern Scottish Highlands were the backdrop for the contentious feud between Clan Mackay and Clan Sutherland. Their animosity, rooted in territorial ambitions and power struggles, led to several confrontations and skirmishes over the decades. Notably, the 1522 Battle of Alltachuilain saw the Mackays under Chief Iye Du Mackay clashing with the Sutherlands. The conflicts often involved betrayals, shifting allegiances, and were intertwined with the broader political and clan dynamics of the region. By the late 16th century, efforts to mediate and broker peace between the two clans started gaining ground, but the wounds of their prolonged feud left lasting imprints on the histories of both clans, reflecting the often tumultuous nature of Highland clan rivalries.