George Mackay of Skibo

George Mackay of Skibo (Skibo Castle) (c. 1715 – 25 June 1782) was a Scottish lawyer, soldier and politician. He fought for the British Government during the Jacobite rising of 1745 and was later a Member of Parliament.

Mackay was a younger son of George Mackay, 3rd Lord Reay and his third wife Mary Dowell.

He was educated at the University of Aberdeen and became an advocate in 1737.

The Clan Mackay supported the British Government during the Jacobite rising of 1745. George Mackay was Captain of the 1st Mackay Independent Highland Company that was raised by Duncan Forbes, Lord Culloden to oppose the Jacobites. George Mackay took an active part in the Skirmish of Tongue in March 1746 when money and supplies that were destined for the Jacobites were captured from a French ship.

This led to a commission in the regular British Army, from which he retired in 1748.

He was elected at the 1747 general election as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sutherland, having unsuccessfully contested the seat in 1741. He was re-elected in 1754, and held the seat until 1761, when his younger brother Alexander was elected in his place.

In 1756, he was appointed Master of the Mint for Scotland in 1756.

Skibo Castle in modern times

George Mackay came into possession of Skibo Castle through his maternal uncle, Patrick Doull of Winterfield. However it was already heavily burdened and continued that way while under Mackay’s ownership but he later disposed of the property.

George Mackay married Anne Sutherland, daughter of Eric Sutherland, 4th Lord Duffus on 13 September 1766. They had the following children:

1. George Mackay (died in the East Indies in 1790).
2. Eric Mackay, 7th Lord Reay.
3. Alexander Mackay, 8th Lord Reay.
4. Donald Mackay (a Captain in the Royal Navy).
5. Patrick Mackay (died in infancy).
6. Elizabeth Mackay.
7. Mary Mackay.
8. Harriet Mackay.
9. Anne Mackay.