George Mackay

From Donald Munro’s Records of Grace in Sutherland:

George Mackay, Roster, was a brother of Neil Mackay, Scouriemore. They belonged to Kylestrome. George was once perplexed about the existence of Satan. He happened to call at a house where Andrew Ross, Tongue, was visiting. While sitting at food, Andrew was requested to ask a blessing, and without hearing anything about George’s state of mind, he began by saying:- “There may be some that are troubled with the question, “Who is Satan?” but they need not go from their own hearts to know something of his malignity.” These words brought instant relief to George’s mind. George possessed poetic gifts, of which be made use in composing elegies on faithful witnesses and also in denouncing unfaithful ministers. His brother, Neil, was charitable towards those with whom he differed, though he bad not the keen discernment of George. Unlike many of the outstanding “men” in the parish, he did not go the length of absenting himself from attending church in the dark days of moderatism, prior to the Disruption.

Neil Mackay, although dissatisfied himself, was in the habit of attending the church. His son Murdo, was for many years elder and precentor in Kinlochbervie Free Church. He was a simple, guileless man who had a great dread of controversy.