The Sandside Chase, 1437

The Sandside Chase was a violent clash between the Clan Mackay and the people of Caithness, led by Clan Gunn, a region in northern Scotland. The conflict took place in 1437, about 6 miles west of Thurso. It is believed to have been sparked by the people of Caithness committing depredations on the east parts of the Reay country, and the Mackays seeking revenge for these actions.

Neil Mackay, the 8th of Strathnaver and chief of the Clan Mackay, led the raid against Caithness. He and his brother John-Abrach, along with their men, set out from Strathnaver towards Thurso. They were met with resistance at Dounreay, but ultimately pushed the Caithness men back to the Forss Water.

However, Caithness reinforcements soon arrived and forced the Mackays to retreat to Sandside, where they were joined by additional Mackay forces that had been posted at Drum Hollistan to protect their rear. At Sandside, the Mackays were able to regroup and ultimately defeat the Caithness defenders. The survivors were chased back to Dounreay, and it is believed that around 60 stones that once marked the graves of those killed in the battle have since disappeared.

The Sandside Chase is also known by several other names, including the Chase of Sandside, the Chase of Sansett, Ruoig-Hansett, and Ruaig Handside. Accounts of the battle can be found in a number of historical records, including the book Conflicts of the Clans, published in 1764, and Sir Robert Gordon’s manuscript, published in 1813. The traditional Mackay account of the battle was recorded by Robert Mackay in his book, the History of the House and Clan of the Name Mackay, published in 1829.