Lord Reay

Lord Reay is a title in the Peerage of Scotland. It was created in 1628 for Sir Donald Mackay, 1st Baronet.

History:

The title derives its name from the lands of Reay in the Scottish Highlands, associated with the Mackay clan. The first Lord Reay was already a Baronet, of Far, in the County of Sutherland, a title created in the Baronetage of Nova Scotia in 1627. He was a prominent military leader, raising troops for service on the Continent during the Thirty Years' War.

The Lords Reay were staunch supporters of the Protestant cause and the British Crown. Several holders of the title served with distinction in the military.

Other Titles:

The Lords Reay also held the subsidiary titles of:

• Baronet of Far, in the County of Sutherland (created 1627)
• Lord Reay of Reay (created 1628)

These titles were also in the Peerage of Scotland.

Succession:

The Lordship of Reay has descended through the Mackay family, sometimes through collateral lines. The heir apparent to the title typically uses the courtesy title Master of Reay.

Notable Holders:

• Sir Donald Mackay, 1st Lord Reay (died 1649)
• Aeneas Mackay, 13th Lord Reay (1905-1963)
• Hugh William Mackay, 14th Lord Reay (1937-2013)

Current Status:

As of 2023, the title is held by Aeneas Simon Mackay, 15th Lord Reay. The family seat is in the Netherlands.

Lineage:

The lineage of the Lords Reay demonstrates the complex inheritance patterns characteristic of peerages. Genealogical details can be found in Burke's Peerage and other genealogical resources.