Battle of Dail-Riabhach

The Battle of Dail-Riabhach was a Scottish clan battle that took place in the year 1576. It was fought between members of the Highland Clan Mackay, with the involvement of John Sinclair, 5th Earl of Caithness, chief of the Clan Sinclair.

In 1576 a feud arose between John Mackay, son of the dying Y Roy Mackay, chief of Clan Mackay and Neil Mackay, brother of the chief Y Roy Mackay. John Mackay excluded his uncle Neil Mackay and took possession of the clan lands in Strathnaver. Neil claimed that his nephews John and Donald were Bastards and he took refuge with John Sinclair, Earl of Caithness (chief of Clan Sinclair). Neil obtained a company of men from Sinclair, Earl of Caithness who he sent with his four sons to invade Strathnaver. Neil Mackay's forces took possession of Strathnaver from his nephew John Mackay, who in turn took refuge with the Chattan Confederation to seek their support, leaving his brother Donald Mackay to try and defend their territory.

Donald Mackay, in the absecne of his brother John surprised their unucle Neil Mackay at Dail-Riabhach and killed two of Neil's sons along with the most his company. Afterwards Neil Mackay came willingly and surrendered himself to his nephews John and Donald who executed Neil at a place called Clash-nan-ceap in Strathnaver.