Borve Castle, Sutherland

The castle, which may have originally been constructed by a Norseman by the name of Torquil, was a stronghold of Clan Mackay that they used as a base to carry out raids on their neighbours the Clan Sutherland. It is also said that a cannon was dragged all the way from Edinburgh. The castle was partly destroyed and garrisoned for the Queen Regent by John Williamson. He was supplied with food from the lands of Helena Sinclair, the widow of Donald Mackay of Strathnaver. Rory Mor Mackay was hanged. After Borve Castle was taken, a force from the Clan Mackay assembled under John Mor Mackay and engaged in battle with the Clan Sutherland, known as the Battle of Garbharry where the Mackays were defeated. This was the last battle between the clans Sutherland and Mackay. ==Historical accounts==

Historian Sir Robert Gordon (1580–1656) (a younger son of Alexander Gordon, 12th Earl of Sutherland) wrote of the siege of Borve Castle in his book "A Genealogical History of the Earldom of Sutherland": ''The Queen granted commission to John Gordon, Earl of Sutherland, against Iye MacKay and his country. The Earl of Sutherland, assisted by Huntly, and having the regent's commission, raised an overwhelming force, and for the first time that ever any Earl of Sutherland adventured to do so, invaded MacKay's country. So Earl John assembling all his forces, entered into Strathnaver, sack-ing and spoiling before him in a hostile manner, and possessed all the places of doubt, lest, as Hollinshed sayeth, any hole might be left for them to pass away from thence. But when Earl John perceived that Iye MacKay would not abide and fight him, he besieged the strong castle and fort called Borwe, the principal strength of that country, not two miles distant from Far. After a short siege, he took it by force, and hanged Rory MacKean-Voir, captain thereof.'' ==See also==